Business Eye Jan Feb 2017

Issue 166 Jan/Feb 2017 £2.50 Voted best Business Magazine in Ireland 2005 and Magazine of the Year for Northern Ireland

Richard Donnan & Ulster Bank...

Eyes To The Future Features: 01

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HireCo & ServiceCo… At The Heart Of Road Transport

STRAIGHT TO BUSINESS Up to 40 flights a day around the UK from Belfast City. flybe.com

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Professor Mark Durkin….

Vision For Ulster University Business School

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Business On The Go….

Are We Making Best Use Of Technology?

T i Ta n i c v e n u e s B e l fa s T

titanicbelfast.com

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CONTENTS

Jan/Feb 2017 ISSUE 166

Transport Industry

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HireCo & ServiceCo... At The Heart Of Road Transport

Specials On Screen Challenges Terry Brennan is the new Head of News & Programmes at UTV in Belfast, now part of the ITV Group. A native of Dundalk, he returns to Ireland after heading up ITV regional newsrooms in the south west and east of England, and he’ll be in charge of programme output as UTV moves into a brand new era.

With a 24/7 operations centre in Belfast’s Docklands, HireCo & ServiceCo are at the very centre of the road haulage industry. Not only does the Belfast company supply tractor units and trailers to haulage operators all over the UK and Ireland, but it also provides maintenance support around the clock.

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George Graham... New Man At Hotel Help

Cover Story

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Richard Donnan & Ulster Bank... Eyes To The Future

Business Eye catches up with George Graham, the newlyappointed General Manager at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast, re-branded at the end of last year from its former identity as the Ramada Plaza beside Shaw’s Bridge.

BDO Northern Ireland... Client Focus The Key To Growth

Ulster Bank’s Head of Northern Ireland talks about the challenges that have faced the bank in the wake of the financial crisis and how it is turning the spotlight firmly on customer service right across the business and retail banking arenas as it moves forward.

BDO’s Belfast office is a surprisingly large place and home to 170 staff working for clients, primarily in the the private sector, all over Northern Ireland. We talk to senior partners Peter Burnside, Brian Murphy, Sean Lavery and Nigel Harra.

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Professor Mark Durkin... New Head For Ulster Business School As Ulster University moves into a new era, and prepares for its city centre base, Professor Mark Durkin has taken over as Head of the Ulster Business Scool, one of the highest-rated of its kind anywhere in the UK. He has a clear vision for the School’s future.

Lisburn-based Xperience ranks as a true veteran of the Northern Ireland IT sector, having been around since the 1960’s....when technology was a very different thing to today. The senior management team talk to Business Eye about the company’s continued growth.

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Business On The Go... Are We Making Best Use of Technology Business Eye joined forces with BT Business to stage a Round Table Discussion at BT Riverside Tower in Belfast. The subject? How businesses are using mobile technology to maximise both business performance and to impact on the bottom line.

Regulars

As a former HM Revenue & Customs tax inspector, and part of one of HMRC’s special units, Aidan Larkin knows a thing or two about realising the value of assets. Nowadays, he heads up asset recovery at Wilsons Auctions, the NIbased group which holds a series of police and government contracts to auction off the proceeds of crime.

Leading Edge Business Technology... With Xperience

Round Table Discussion

Brexit & Business... A Lawyer’s Perspective As one of Northern Ireland’s leading commercial barristers, Monye Anyadike-Danes QC is well placed to offer her perspective on Brexit and the challenges facing businesses in the modern era.

Eye on Retail

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Eye on Finance

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Eye on Energy

Eye on Health

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Eye on Hospitality

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Eye on Taxation

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Eye on Law

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Eye on Human Resources

62

Eye on Agri Food

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Eye on Insurance

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Eye on Business Leaders Forum

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Eye on Motoring

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Buckley Publications 20 Kings Road Belfast, BT5 6JJ Tel: (028) 9047 4490 Fax: (028) 9047 4495 www.businesseye.co.uk

Editor Richard Buckley Commercial Director Brenda Buckley

Business Development Manager Ciara Donnelly

Design Hexagon Tel: (028) 9047 2210 www.hexagondesign.com

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Aidan Larkin... Wilsons Auctions’ Asset Man

Business Education

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Photography Press Eye 45 Stockmans Way Belfast, BT9 7ET Tel: (028) 9066 9229 www.presseye.com

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For fans of elections, Northern Ireland is a great place to live. And, if you’re also an afficianado of election posters, it’s even better.

Comment

“Maybe, just maybe, we’ll have a sea change in Northern Ireland politics. The leaders of the smaller parties would love that that were true.

But even they probably aren’t holding their breath.”

Sponsored by

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ut, for the majority of us, the proliferation of elections around these parts isn’t what we want.

And, for business and the economy, it’s definitely not a good thing.

However, there’s nothing we or anyone else can do about the fact that we’re headed towards another Assembly election on 2nd March. What’s more, it’s an election which might not result in the return of a Stormont administration. And that’s a fact that is a whole lot more worrying than having to traipse into the polling booths once again.

Did we have to have an election in the wake of an RHI scandal largely fuelled (pardon the pun) by the media? Did we have to watch the coaliton being brought down, at least in part, by a radio presenter?

Some politicians think so, other politicians think not. Some members of the public think so, other members of the public think not. But here’s the rub. The members of the public are most likely to vote for the same politicians come March 2nd.

Maybe, just maybe, we’ll have a sea change in Northern Ireland politics. The leaders of the smaller parties would love that that were true. But even they probably aren’t holding their breath.

What’s important is that we get the election out of the way and that we get some form of working administration up and running as soon as possible afterwards. It might not look all that likely, but it’s an essential.

Richard Buckley EDITOR Irish Magazine Editor of the Year 2005

And, if it doesn’t happen, then there is only one alternative. That’s direct rule. Nobody really wants it, some despite the very thought of it, but the ball is in the court of our own politicians. Direct rule can be avoided by some straight talking and negotation.

It’s crucial that Stormont gets up and running once again. It’s crucial that business and our business organisations shout until they’re blue in their collective faces about the need for a working administration.

And it’s crucial because we’re moving inexorably towards a Brexit which could have far-reaching consequences for Northern Ireland as a region. A Brexit with possible opportunities, at least according to some, but a Brexit which will impact here like it will impact nowhere else.

For our political representatives to be spending the next few weeks knocking doors and kissing babies is a waste of time and money. But, at least, if the resulting election produces a workable administration, it’ll have been time relatively well spent.

In common with most other observers, we’re not too confident that that will be the case. But we all know what the alternative is.

No pressure then, ladies & gentlemen of the political world. Just get your act together.

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Eye on News

Northern Ireland’s Best Kept Awards Celebrates 60 Years Northern Ireland’s Best Kept Awards is celebrating its 60th anniversary as it launches the search for entries under a new title sponsor, George Best Belfast City Airport.

Calling on towns and villages across Northern Ireland to enter the 2017 Best Kept Awards, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary are, Doreen Muskett MBE, President of the NI Amenity Council; Joe Mahon, Patron of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council and Michelle Hatfield, Director of Human Resources and Corporate Responsibility at awards sponsors Belfast City Airport.

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he initiative, organised by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, seeks to identify and celebrate Northern Ireland’s best looked-after towns, villages, schools, healthcare facilities and housing areas.

Speaking at the launch event held at Belfast’s Riddell Hall, Joe Mahon, Patron of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, said: “We welcome Belfast City Airport on board as our new title sponsor and thank the organisation for its support in

this special year and going forward.”

Michelle Hatfield, Director of Human Resources and Corporate Responsibility at Belfast City Airport, said: “Belfast City Airport is delighted to partner with the Best Kept Awards, especially in what is a very significant anniversary for the competition.

“Our award-winning Community Commitment Plan, focusing on Community, Education, Environment and People, makes us a natural partner for the Best Kept Awards.

“We look forward to seeing the hundreds of entries from across the country for this year’s competition.”

The initiative was the brainchild of the late Professor Arthur Muskett OBE who, then a renowned plant pathologist, set out to find Northern Ireland’s Best Kept Village. His daughter, Doreen Muskett MBE, is now President of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council.

Doreen Muskett MBE added: “It is with great pride that we launch

the George Best Belfast City Airport Awards in this, its 60th anniversary year.

“The competition has made an enormous impact on the lives of the thousands of volunteers that have made it such a success - and on the communities in which they live.”

Environment Minister Michelle McIlveen said: “Today we recognise the great work undertaken by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council over the past six decades. The Council should be extremely proud of their achievements and of the commitment and dedication shown by its legions of volunteers throughout the past 60 years.”

Entries to the Best Kept Awards, sponsored by George Best Belfast City Airport, are now open.

For more information on how to enter an awards category, please visit www.niacbestkept.com or call the Northern Ireland Amenity Council on 028 9040 3681.

FLYBE WELCOMES FAMOUS TAYTO CRISPS ON BOARD Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, has kicked off 2017 with a refreshed on-board menu which champions Northern Ireland’s famous brand of crisps, Tayto.

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he airline’s ‘Tastes of the Regions’ menu highlights regional products from a different corner of its extensive network every quarter. Through March those from Ireland and Northern Ireland are in the spotlight, and also feature Guinness and Butler’s Irish Whiskey Chocolate Bar.

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Why Tayto? We’ll, one in every five packets of crisps eaten in Northern Ireland alone is the company’s iconic cheese and onion flavour - and now Flybe passengers on its 450-plus flights a day can enjoy them - at 25,000 feet!

Amy Valcik, Flybe’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, comments: “Our first ‘Tastes of the Regions’ menu of 2017 brings on board a real Northern Irish classic. We know our Northern Ireland passengers will welcome the opportunity to indulge in their favourite crisps, and we fully expect that those who might not be as familiar with the Tayto brand will enjoy the opportunity to become hooked as well!”

“Our extensive UK and European route network gives us the perfect opportunity to introduce our passengers to the varied tastes and local specialties of the many regions we serve, and demonstrates our commitment to showcasing and promoting their favourite food and drink.”

Elly Hunter, Marketing Director of Tayto, adds: “We are delighted that Flybe has selected Tayto, Northern Ireland’s number one brand of crisps and snacks, to include on its on-board ‘Tastes of the Regions’ menu. Tayto is an iconic local brand and this is another chance for us to fly high! “

Flybe cabin crew Laura Stewart and Trevor Kielty with Mr. Tayto.

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Eye on News

NEW HEALTHCARE PARTNERSHIP PUTS LOCAL BUSINESS GYMCO AT THE HEART OF FITNESS A new partnership between Northern Ireland’s largest private healthcare provider, the 3fivetwo Group, and Belfast-based gym company, GymCo, means local people can reap the benefits of looking good on the outside whilst knowing their inner health and wellbeing can be monitored and checked at any stage, as well.

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he new healthcare partnership means that new customers as well as those who are signed up as members to GymCo can now receive special rates and discounts off treatments at 3fivetwo such as health screenings and eye tests, along with access to specialist consultants.

Part of the JDM Group, GymCO boasts 2 gyms in Belfast, one located at Finaghy Road North within the Devenish Complex and the other at Cityside Retail Park at Yorkgate, while plans are already in place for further sites within greater Belfast

and further afield. The staff at GymCo as well as clients will gain access to the most complete package for sports and fitness along with rapid access to MRI scans, surgery and consultations through 3fivetwo’s National Sports Injury Clinic at Kingsbridge Private Hospital, located on the Lisburn Road.

Jim Conlon, Director of the JDM Group, says the partnership is one which puts GymCo at the heart of Belfast’s health and fitness platform, “At this time of year many of us are trying to make a new start and get more

Pictured at the launch are Jim Conlon, Director JDM Group; Judith McGirr Manager at GymCo and Robbie Maye from 3fivetwo Group.

active especially after over indulging a little over the festive season. Whilst many of us are becoming more health aware, we want to help pioneer this new stance on fitness, health and wellbeing together, as they are all connected.”

“Many people start heavy training regimes without having their heart or blood checked beforehand to make sure it’s safe, or even chatted to their GP about any concerns they may have about their general wellbeing. Through this partnership we can give members exclusive deals for health checkups with dieticians and consultants at Kingsbridge Private Hospital so they can train safely, knowing all their health requirements are being met.”

GymCo currently employ 25 staff across 2 gyms, but Mr. Conlon says the have no plans on stopping there.

“We aim to grow the GymCo name and our facilities in the coming years to propel ourselves to the forefront of Northern Irish fitness

Belfast People Urged To Help Shape Their City’s Future Growth

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Phil Williams, Director of Planning and Place, Belfast City Council, Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive Belfast City Council and Cllr Peter Johnston, Chair of Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee

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ow do you want to see your city grow? That’s the question being asked this morning at City Hall as a major consultation is launched on how the development of the city will be planned to 2035.

It’s Belfast City Council’s first step in creating the Local Development Plan (LDP) which will guide investment and set out a framework for the use and protection of land across the city. And once adopted, the LDP will be used to guide and improve decision making on planning applications.

By complementing the Belfast Agenda, the city’s first community plan which outlines priority actions and programmes to ensure Belfast’s success, the LDP will help determine where development and infrastructure proposals will be located and which areas will be protected.

Councillor Peter Johnston, Chair of Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee said: “It’s absolutely critical that

and this partnership represents a big step forward for us, one which we are really excited about.”

Robbie Maye, sales executive for the 3fivetwo Group, feels the deal will benefit many local gym goers and sports people alike.

“We are delighted with this partnership as it means both parties are moving forward in providing all-round, fitness and quality health packages to the public. It creates a somewhat holistic approach to health and fitness whereby you can treat your medical and sporting needs all under one membership.”

“Where you would usually have to wait weeks to be seen for an injury, you can be seen as early as the next day by a specialist and get the medical attention you need to get back to training safely in the gym, it’s fantastic,” concludes Robbie.

For more information about GymCo or becoming a member, please visit: http://www.gymbelfast. co.uk/ Or call: 028 9560 0669

we plan for and stimulate Belfast’s growth. Our Local Development Plan will have an impact on everyone who lives in, works in and visits Belfast, because it will shape how Northern Ireland’s capital city grows and becomes more competitive in the future.

“We want to identify enough space to support the creation of up to 46,000 new jobs, allocate land for 37,000 high quality new homes and increase Belfast’s population to over 400,000 by 2035.”

“It’s vital that we get people’s views on what sort of a city centre they want, where new homes should be built and new jobs located – and on how, together, we can make Belfast a more shared, connected and sustainable city where people love to live, work and visit.”

The LDP’s vision is to promote development which enhances communities’ health and wellbeing, creates a more vibrant economy, improves connectivity, responds to environmental challenges and both protects and makes it easier for us to enjoy our natural settings and green space. It also seeks to ensure that we pursue high quality design in new developments, protect and enhance our built heritage, promote vibrant local neighbourhoods and make the most of our city’s unique assets.

Eye on News

Guinness Rye Pale Ale...

Latest From The Brewers Project What a great idea the Guinness Brewers Project has been...

Launched earlier last year at the St. James’s Gate brewery in Dublin, the Project lets the Guinness brewers loose on a variety of projects, and they’ve come up with a series of new products as a result, tapping into the ever-growing craft beer marketplace.

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nd that craft beer marketplace is just as buoyant here in Northern Ireland as it is anywhere else.

In fact, we seem to embrace new beers more than any other part of the UK or Ireland.

We’re big fans of the biggest success story of the lot from the Guinness Brewers Project, the wonderful draught or bottled Hop House 13 lager. And afficianados of the bottled black stuff have been won over by a couple of excellent stouts... a new Dublin Stout and a West Indies Stout.

Now the St. James’s Gate brewers have come up with a very different and very tasty

pale ale. It’s Guiness Rye Pale Ale and, according to the brewers, it’s meant to bring something of the character of Guinness to the heady world of pale ale.

Apparently, it was made by the brewers as a Christmas special beer for some friends and families (how lucky are they?).

But reaction was so good that the company decided to add it to the Brewers Project line-up.

The tasting notes talk about a peppery bite, citrus notes, crystal malt and a toasted biscuit flavour. From our own limited experience (and palate), it’s a really complex and flavourful pale ale and, peppery or not,

it certainly comes with a real bite. But it’s refreshing with it.

And let’s be honest. No one wants to read so-called critics warbling on about the taste merits of any beer. Get out there, buy one and, providing you’re

a craft beer lover, the odds are that you’ll really enjoy it.

GUINNESS® Rye Pale Ale, with an ABV of 5%, is available in 500ml bottles with an recommended selling price of £1.99 and is being sold in cases of eight.

Cpl delivers revenue, gross profit and earnings growth Cpl Resources Plc, which has offices in Belfast and Derry today announced its results for the half year ended 31 December 2016.

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he company which has 37 offices across 10 countries and recently created 15 new jobs in Northern Ireland experienced further improvements in trading conditions in certain market areas. Revenues for the six months to 31 December 2016 increased by 6% to €228.7 million. Gross profit increased by 6% against the same period last year to €36.2 million. The Group’s adjusted operating profit, which excludes non-cash foreign exchange and

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LTIP charges, was €9.0 million for the six months to 31 December 2016, a 6% increase on the same period last year.

Cpl which employs 700 people in recruitment, 2,000 in managed services and 10,000 on client sites across its global business has opened new Belfast offices to accommodate its growing local team and launched a new graduate recruitment programme for Northern Ireland this month.

Commenting on the Group results Áine Brolly CEO of Cpl Solutions International said: “In the six months to 31 December 2016 the Group delivered continued growth in revenues, net fee income and profits. The strength of the Group’s Balance Sheet reflects the positive cash-generating capability of Cpl and we remain confident

in the outlook for the business and expect to deliver continued profitable growth for the remainder of the financial year. In Northern Ireland we continue to develop our business and have launched a targeted recruitment drive which reflects the considerable opportunities that we believe exist within the local economy.”

Political and economic events globally during the period have had limited impact on the company which has seen continued organic growth. During 2017 the company expects the outcome of these events to become clearer, presenting both opportunities and challenges across key business sectors. Áine continued: “In Northern Ireland we have restructured and reshaped the business to support expansion in the

Áine Brolly CEO of Cpl Solutions International

market through our strategy of rapid growth including the potential for the acquisition of locally based recruitment companies. Our team has doubled over the last year and we have launched a new graduate programme creating 10 new Associate Consultant roles with an additional 5 senior roles being developed this year to support our ambitious plans for growth. “

Eye on Retail

Coach McGuigan To Help Get NI Fighting Fit!

Michael McCormack, managing director, Musgrave NI with Centra Live Well ambassadors, Jane McClenaghan (nutrition); Bridgeen Rea (mindfulness) and Johnny Davis (RunTogether) launch the new Centra Live Well campaign in Belfast.

Centra introduces top team of experts to encourage Northern Ireland to Live Well Every Day

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eading convenience retailer Centra has teamed up with Carl Frampton’s awardwinning and highly respected coach, Shane McGuigan, along with a top team of Ambassadors, to help inspire the people of Northern Ireland to Live Well Every Day. Centra’s ‘Live Well’ strategy, which forms an integral part of the brand’s new ‘Live Every Day’ campaign, launching today (Tuesday 17th January), represents an investment of £1 million and has been designed to address serious health issues in today’s society.

Currently 60% of the adult population are overweight and obese, whilst 28% of adults do less than 30 minutes of physical activity per week and one in five showed signs of a possible mental health problem. * The new Centra Live Well programme, which the Ambassadors are a key part of, aims to educate and inspire consumers to make healthier choices and encourage communities

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across Northern Ireland get active.

McGuigan, the youngest son of former world boxing champion Barry, is a top signing to a roster of four Ambassadors spanning nutrition, fitness and mindfulness.

The 28-year-old, who also coaches boxing stars David Haye, George Groves and up and coming talent Josh Taylor, will be creating a fitness plan and tips for Centra’s customers, housed on the Centra NI Facebook page.

Joining McGuigan in the Centra ‘Live Well’ team, Centra Nutritionist, Jane McClenaghan will build on her work with the brand in 2016, designing a programme of healthy recipes and nutrition tips that will help people to make long-term positive lifestyle changes. Jane, who has a passion for good food and runs a busy nutrition clinic in Belfast, is committed to helping people avoid fad diets and making healthier choices every day.

With mental health very much on the agenda, Bridgeen Rea is Centra’s Mindfulness Ambassador.

Bridgeen is a qualified Mindfulness Meditation and yoga teacher and a wellness expert. She is the only person in Northern Ireland to have a Masters in Mindfulness Based Approaches and will design a 10-week course, which will guide people through key tips on how to manage busy lives and associated stress and anxiety, including the importance of a regular digital detox.

Completing the four-strong team, two time Olympian and Commonwealth Games champion, Johnny Davis, has been revealed as Centra’s Run Together Ambassador.

In 2016, Centra launched Run Together - a new running initiative that encourages people to get out and run in pairs, hosting a series of four events in Belfast, Antrim and Derry/Londonderry. The programme will expand in 2017, with running events coming to new locations in Tyrone and Fermanagh, driven forward under Johnny’s expert eye.

Alongside the Ambassador programme, Centra customers will see real and effective change in-store with over 200 new healthy lines introduced across a number of key areas. These include Healthy Hydration, Healthy Snacking, Health & Wellbeing and Chilled Convenience.

Speaking from Las Vegas, where he’s preparing Carl Frampton for his big World Title fight against Leo Santa Cruz, Shane McGuigan said: “I am very proud to be Centra’s Fitness Ambassador for 2017. For the next 12 months, we are going to work together to help get the people of Northern Ireland moving.

“I started getting into fitness and nutrition when I was 13 years of age, when I started putting on a little bit of weight and started to get a little bit self-conscious and felt like I needed to do something about it. I took up running and boxing to get my weight down, and a long time after that, at 28 years of age - now 15 years later - I am in the fitness industry training the likes of Carl Frampton, George

Groves, David Haye, Josh Taylor - all big names in boxing,” he continued.

“Boxing is one of the toughest sports when it comes to fitness. It’s got both of the energy systems, the aerobic system and the anaerobic system. I am really excited to be part of the Centra Live Well campaign, getting the people of Northern Ireland up on their feet and healthy.

Your health is so important you have to look after yourself; you only get one body and one life,” Shane added.

Commenting on the launch of Centra’s new brand repositioning and ‘Live Well’ campaign, Michael McCormack, Managing Director, Musgrave NI said: “Over the past few years, we have been on a journey of discovery with the Centra brand; we have taken the time to listen and learn from our customers and understand their needs.

“Customers today don’t want convenience at any cost. Consumers are increasingly health conscious and as a convenience retail brand, we’re committed to helping our customers make better and healthier choices. This has been the driving force behind our store refresh programme, as well as the introduction of healthier product ranges across our stores.

“Our new strapline is Live Every Day. It’s all about living in the moment and seizing the day. Our Live Well Ambassador programme which we launched today is a key part of this. Centra and its team of ambassadors will lead Northern Ireland towards a healthy “mind, body & soul” through giving them the advice, knowledge and tools to help them make healthier choices, get active and achieve balance in their life,” he added.

For further information about Centra’s Live Well campaign visit www.centra.co.uk or Like Centra NI’s Facebook page (facebook.com/CentraNI)

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Eye on News

Veterans Dominate Novosco Grand Prix Over 10,000 runners crossed the finish line in the inaugural Novosco 10k Grand Prix - a major running series of 13 races across four counties - and it is the veterans who dominate the final standings.

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he winners collected their awards at a special event sponsored by former Financia Minister Máirtín Muilleoir in Parliament Buildings Stormont, with Ruth Perioli, a 58-year-old athlete from Comber, receiving top prize for finishing first in the table.

Novosco managing director Patrick McAliskey congratulated the winners: “This was the first year of the Novosco Grand Prix and we had fantastic interest from runners of a wide range of ages and abilities across Northern Ireland. The unique age-graded nature of the Grand Prix makes it an inclusive event, with all competitors in with a chance of seeing their name on the leader board. Congratulations to each of the prize-winners, and to those who completed all of the races. George Morrow in particular

is an inspiration, completing all 13 at the age of 75. We look forward to 2017 and encourage runners of all abilities to enter and try to get their names on the leader board.”

Novosco is a leading tech company, which employs some 150 people and is based at Catalyst in Belfast.

It works for leading organistions across the UK and Ireland.

18 prizes in total were presented at the ceremony, including awards for the top 15 competitors in the final leader board, with a total prize-fund of more than £6,000.

61-year-old Mary Mackin from Lurgan finished second in the final standings, with 67-year-old Terry Eakin from Bangor coming in sixth.

George Morrow, a 75-year-old runner from Lisburn was presented with a special award for completing

Ruth Perioli shows off her trophy for finishing top of the Novosco Grand Prix standings at a special prize-giving event at Parliament Buildings Stormont. She is with Patrick McAliskey (centre), managing director of Novosco, and Glenn Grant, the Grand Prix organiser.

all 13 races, an impressive feat for any athlete, alongside Anne Donnelly (60 years) and Michael Kelso (50 years).

The not-for-profit Novosco Grand Prix is run by ChampionChip Ireland (www.championchipireland.com), and sponsored by technology company Novosco (www.novosco.com), which has committed to sponsoring the series again in 2017.

It is a unique age-graded running competition incorporating 13 well-

respected and established 10k races, including the Titanic 10k, the Enniskillen 10k, and the Seeley Cup 10k.

Athletes’ average agegraded times over their best six races in the series are used to determine the final standings.

There is also a table for corporate teams.

Further information about the Novosco Grand Prix is available at www.novosco10kgrandprix.com

New Head Office For Fane Valley Former Agriculture Minister Michelle McIlveen has officially opened Fane Valley’s new head office and logistics centre located at Glenavy Road, Moira.

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he premises are situated on a dedicated four acre site and provide 15,000sq.ft of modern office facilities and 50,000sq. ft of high specification warehousing.

The facility marks the beginning of a fresh chapter for Fane Valley which has been headquartered in Armagh for the past 68 years.

The change of location reflects Fane Valley’s ambitions to extend the geographic reach of its agri-business beyond its traditional catchment area.

The new premises are also specially equipped to support the efficient

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production and dispatch of its range of livestock identification products and to service its growing on-line trading platform. This is expected to deliver significant service and productivity improvements in the years ahead.

Speaking at the Opening ceremony, Minister McIlveen said: “I commend Fane Valley for its investment in this impressive new central warehouse and logistics centre which will help expand its agricultural retail business. While I appreciate this is only one arm of Fane Valley’s many strands of business, the provision of agricultural supplies

Former Minister Michelle McIlveen MLA, Trevor Lockhart - Fane Valley Chief Executive & William McConnell Fane Valley Chairman

is an essential service to the farming industry across Northern Ireland.

“From its formation well over 100 years ago, it is tremendous to see the growth of the co-operative which has kept its farming roots with local farmers retaining ownership. It is also encouraging to see a leading organisation in our agriculture industry

making a substantial investment in their business at a time when the economic environment is facing many unknowns and challenges.”

“I wish Fane Valley every success with its new premises and I congratulate them in their efforts to strengthen and consolidate their market presence.”

Eye on Transport Industry

.co.uk

One of the most significant transport industry businesses in Northern Ireland & the UK is hidden away in the depths of Belfast’s Harbour Estate.

HIRECO & SERVICECO...

BELFAST COMPANY AT THE CENTRE OF NORTHERN IRELAND & UK TRANSPORT INDUSTRY

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ireco was established in 1971, and was then bought by Pat Carson & George Boyd in 1991 when they acquired the trailer rental business based in Belfast and owned by the O’Rourke coal distribution business. Back then, fleet size was 65 trailers and turnover £400,000.

Nowadays, the Hireco group has a fleet of more than 5000 trailers with a value of £45million, and an annual turnover in excess of £25 million. Under the same roof, sister company Serviceco contributes £5.5 million worth of that turnover, and provides service, repair and

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emergency assistance to a wide range of customers in the haulage and logistics industries throughout Northern Ireland & the UK. Hireco is now buying around 1000 new trailers per year from various manufacturers, chiefly Toomebridge-based SDC Trailers, and has just completed a £13.5 million deal with the Northern Ireland trailer maker.

It’s a company with a major footprint in the Northern Ireland & UK market, which is growing its customer base every day. Director George Boyd provides an insight into their long term success;

“We’ve grown steadily through the years and it’s a testament to the team here in Belfast that we’ve grown in a market where plenty of operators (at least here in Northern Ireland) still hold on to the old belief that it’s best to own their own equipment rather than to contract hire it.”

George continued; “Across the Irish Sea, companies think differently and there is a much wider acceptance of the advantages of contract hire...in terms of cash flow, depreciation concerns, administration and the availability of maintenance cover.”

The haulage industry nationally faces plenty of challenges on an everyday basis, not least the strict rules and regulations on operators enforced by the new-look DVSA (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency) which has replaced VOSA (the Vehicle & Operator Standards Agency) on the GB mainland, and looks increasingly likely to be replicated here.

George Boyd’s firm view is that operators can make their own lives easier by leaving a lot of bureaucracy of fleet operation to Hireco and Serviceco.....leaving them free to get on with the job

Eye on Transport Industry

of running their businesses.

In addition to its core contract hire and maintenance business streams, the company can offer to all sectors fleet buy-outs, specialist finance support and also runs its own internal disposals division (which is selling a wide range of new & used fleet daily) if this is the operators preferred method.

“We have a wide range of hire options for trucks, trailers, rigids etc.,” adds Hireco Director Ricky Graham. “Once again, it’s all about flexibility and offering different options to our customers, once they decide that contract hire is the best route forward for them.

For example, we can buy a customer’s fleet and lease it back to them inclusive of maintenance. That’s one solution that has worked for a lot of companies locally & in the UK. Our customers find that it frees up finance, it’s extremely tax efficient, it takes away a lot of everyday worries and concerns and provides peace of mind,” he adds.

Several years ago, with their fleet growing rapidly, Hireco decided to form another internal division called Serviceco to manage all of the maintenance aspects of Hireco’s fleet and then developed this as a means

of looking after vehicles owned directly by the operators.

Where does Serviceco come in?

Imagine that you’re a truck driver and your trailer develops a fault, or has a puncture, on the outskirts of Manchester....with a load that’s supposed to be elsewhere in the British Isles or further afield?

repair and emergency assistance to a wider range of customers in the haulage and logistics industries, both customers who rent their fleet from Hireco, as well as many others who own their own fleets but prefer the reassurance of Serviceco’s maintenance packages.

“ Our aim is simple. It’s to keep our customers’ vehicles on the road. When any of them are off the road, for whatever reason, they’re losing money. The vehicles on our books cover over one million miles every week on the road and our customers are based all over the Northern Ireland & the UK. We’re talking about some £45 million worth of machinery.”

For an increasing number of operators, it means getting on the phone and calling the Serviceco nerve centre hidden in the midst of Belfast’s docklands. The office looks like a slightly smaller version of the stock exchange, with an array of flat screens and computer terminals, tracking thousands of vehicles across the UK and Ireland. It is home to the 13-strong team which operates 24/7 and 365 days a year. Serviceco provides service,

On any given day, the control room in Belfast will handle 20 or more breakdowns or tyre related problems/repair needs called in from operators anywhere from the North of Scotland to the South of England. Most are looked after by independent suppliers, but the company itself runs depots in Manchester, at Thatcham close to M4 Motorway with a third planned for the DP World London Gateway, the new deep water port on the Thames Estuary.

The service and compliance desks are even busier. Serviceco will look after some 1250 vehicle and trailer service appointments and 400 MOT tests every month.

It’s an impressive service.

Operators with problems ranging from major trailer malfunctions through to everyday punctures contact the Belfast control centre, Serviceco personnel identify & alert the closest of some 250 different repair, maintenance and tyre suppliers dotted all over the UK, the repairs are carried out at the roadside or wherever the stricken vehicles might be, and the vehicle is attended to all within a target time of 60-90 minutes.

“Our aim is simple. It’s to keep our customers’ vehicles on the road. When any of them are off the road, for whatever reason, they’re losing money,” explains Serviceco General Manager, Sam Oprey. “The vehicles on our books cover over one million miles every week on the road and our customers are based all over the Northern Ireland & the UK. We’re talking about some £45 million worth of machinery.”

The Belfast control room runs around the clock with dedicated teams dealing on a minute by minute basis with the operators, with the network

17

Eye on Transport Industry

of suppliers, and with the compliance side of the business.

The company has invested an estimated £750,000 in installing and adapting IT systems to help it cope with the job. Its main Certus system monitors breakdown callouts and jobs all over the British Isles, with suppliers on the ground able to use mobile technology and barcodes on trailer units to link into the live system.

Sam Oprey takes up the story.

“From the moment we receive a call, we contact the closest of our suppliers, they go out to the job and it’s all logged onto the system, photographs included, right through to a menu of faults, repairs and parts linked straight through the job number and purchase orders. And this all happens very quickly with the aim of getting the trailer back onto the road.”

On a similar note, each unit’s service history and MOT details are all logged online to ensure that each one meets its compliance requirements.

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“ The company has invested an estimated £750,000 in installing and adapting IT systems to help it cope with the job. Its main Certus system monitors breakdown callouts and jobs all over the British Isles, with suppliers on the ground able to use mobile technology and barcodes on trailer units to link into the live system.”

“We’ll even archive all of the vehicle documents on behalf of our customers,” says Oprey. “We take it all away from their desks.”

The latest move forward by the company is the development of a Serviceco app which can ultimately be used by customers and even by individual drivers to access the range of Serviceco services.

It’s fair to say that the company makes a significant contribution to the wider truck parts and tyre industries. It spends well over £1

million each year on new truck tyres, and close to £50,000 each month on parts, with a meticulous parts purchase and cost control system in operation.

The company employs a couple of analysts, whose job it is to continually monitor the operation and its costs....with the entire team working to some stringent performance standards laid down

by Sam Oprey as General Manager.

Sam says visitors to the site are always hugely impressed, “Our customers are frequent visitors to the Belfast Docklands control centre where the impressive set-up and wallmounted control schemes tell the story of a highly efficient and high-technology operation.

“We’re always keen to talk to our customers. We’re flexible in how we work with them, and we’re always trying to think of new ways to improve how we do things.”

But potential customers don’t have to take Hireco’s word for it.

The Belfast company’s customers

are highly effective advocates of the service it provides.

“Hireco is a very important strategic partner for my business,” says Andrew Woolsey of Dungannon-based Woolsey Transport, which runs a fleet of close to 250 tractor units and 600 trailers.

“The team at Hireco is always ready to help and willing to facilitate us whether we’re looking for standard trailers or special builds. We’ve been working with them for 10 years or so and the service is second to none.”

Peter Heenan from Landbridge, a transport group with bases all over the UK and Ireland, agrees.

“We’ve been working with Hireco for close to 20 years. They’re a local business and they offer a personalised service. When we pick up the phone, someone in Belfast answers at the other end and looks after us.

“Hireco is a very professional operation and one that looks after our needs on a day to day basis.”

Eye on Media

On Screen Challenges...

Terry Takes The Reins At UTV It’s been a year of major change in the well-appointed corridors of UTV’s Havelock House headquarters. And, now that UTV has become an integral part of the ITV Group, there’s more change over the horizon in 2017 and 2018.

V

iewers, and there are plenty of them here in Northern Ireland, are already seeing the differences.

The station logo was changed back in the autumn, the main news studio has been given the corporate makeover and UTV Live viewers are welcomed each evening by the familiar ITV News intro jingle.

Behind the camera, there have been plenty of personnel changes and UTV is currently narrowing its search for a new studio centre in Belfast with historic Havelock House due to go on the market.

“This place is full of history but it’s just not suitable for what we have planned in the future,” says Terry Brennan. “Our vision for 2018 is an ultra modern, state of the art HD broadcast centre right here in Belfast where our journalists and production staff will have the very best facilities available to them. It will be the most modern newsroom in Europe when it opens.”

His arrival in Belfast marks a homecoming of sorts for Brennan. A native of Dundalk, he left Ireland as a 17-year old to go to Nottingham Trent University to study broadcast journalism and stayed there to cut his broadcasting

teeth with BBC East Midlands.

From there he went south west to ITV in Bristol initially as a junior reporter before settling into a producer’s role. He later became Head of News at ITV West Country and then traversed England once again to take on a similar Head of News role at ITV Anglia in Norwich. He moved from East Anglia to take on the UTV role.

“Living in a border town, I was brought up with UTV being on the television....

Mike & Linda presenting the news, Frank Mitchell and Julian Simmons. So it’s great to be here and it’s also great to be back in Ireland, an hour away from where most of my family still live around Dundalk and County Louth.

“Belfast is a revelation for me. This place has been completely transformed and I’ve been really enjoying getting to know it a bit better, along with the rest of Northern Ireland.”

On the television front, Terry Brennan is clear on one of the main challenges that he faces. “We have to modernise how we do things, we have to make it really sharp and really modern. But we also have to retain some of the unique UTV personality and flavour that the audience clearly loves.

And we can do that through distinct local

programming and through familiar voices.

“Our overarching objective has been to successfully integrate UTV into the ITV family which I’ve been lucky to be a part of now for 13 years.

“ITV is totally committed to providing viewers in Northern Ireland with the same high standards of news and current affairs that they have come to expect from UTV, together with the best regional programmes, that’s my remit as Head of News and Programmes. ITV is investing in the latest technology for UTV and I’m totally focused on maintaining and developing the exceptional quality of our content.

“We’re also going to be investing in more current affairs programming in the schedule through 2017 and 2018. It’s something UTV has been strong at through the years.”

UTV will also be producing and broadcasting a series of in-house special programmes, kicking off very soon with a special called Jackal In The Desert, presented by Ruth Gorman and following the build-up to Carl Frampton’s big fight against Leo Santa Cruz at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on 28th January.

Back on the news and current affairs

front, UTV has already stepped up its coverage of local politics with its new View From Stormont programme, launched late last year. It has turned out to be a fortuitous piece of timing given the drama now surrounding local politics on the run-up to a snap election on March 2nd.

Brennan is clearly delighted that, during the recent RHI scandal and ensuing political wranglings, UTV Live has continued to score high ratings and cement its reputation as the mostwatched news programme locally.

“We’re lucky to have a great team of journalists and some of the very best political analysts around and we’ll be continuing to make full use of their talents over the coming months. One thing about Northern Ireland is that it’s never boring.

“I’ve always worked in and around news and this is a great place to be a journalist,” he says. “But what I’m really enjoying is the chance to get involved in non-news programmes. We’ve got some exciting plans and the challenge for us is to continue to get our content right.

“I’m really looking forward to it. And I’m really enjoying it. As I’ve said to a few people before, what’s not to like.

I could be working for a living......!”

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Eye on Cover Story

Richard Donnan & Ulster Bank...

Eyes To The Future Richard Donnan is a paid-up member of the optimist’s branch within the Northern Ireland business community, a group to which not everyone in business here belongs.

A

s Managing Director of Corporate & Commercial Banking NI and Head of Northern Ireland at Ulster Bank, the experienced banker is the man leading the bank’s efforts to be number one for customer service, trust and advocacy. It’s a more important role than ever before following Ulster Bank’s decision to move away from an all-island business. These days, Ulsterman Gerry Mallon runs Ulster Bank in the south.

Donnan is a senior banker who prefers to look to the future. A cynic might say that it’s no surprise considering the bank’s recent past, but it suits the bank, its people and its customers that he takes a future focus.

“Our main pillars are our customers and our people who serve those customers. And the bank is in a good place to do just that. We’ve got a stable and strong balance sheet, good liquidity, money to lend, and we’re doing business out in the marketplace,” he says. “And we’re optimistic about the future for both the bank and Northern Ireland business.

“There are some challenges, of course.

Lower for longer interest rates for one and the continued digital revolution as well. Digital is something that we’ve been investing heavily in.

About 85% of our transactions nowadays are by ATM, mobile or internet. So it’s been a huge sea change, and one that we’ve had to invest in.”

Ulster Bank’s app is reckoned to be among the very best in the banking marketplace. It’s been winning 5-star reviews online for ease of use and for some innovative features.

The flip side of the digital revolution in banking

20

is a clear decline in footfall at bank branches.

But Richard Donnan says that Ulster Bank still sees the branch playing an important role.

“Footfall is down as more and more customers turn to mobile and online banking both for daily transactions and applying for personal products.

However there is still a demand for branch facilities. This is changing at a fast pace which we cannot ignore and so we will continue to change and adapt. But we have the largest footprint of branches among the banks here, and that will remain the case in the foreseeable future.”

He talks about a healthy and increasing demand for lending amongst smaller businesses in Northern Ireland, and a more steady demand among the larger SME’s and corporates.

“We’re competing very well right across the business marketplace,” he adds. “We’ve always been very strong in some areas, like agriculture and agri-food, but we’ve been doing deals in healthcare, in retail, hotels and leisure, IT, housing associations, even financial services.”

By way of example, Ulster Bank supported innovative Derry-based company Learning Pool in its strategic acquisition of UK-based Mind Click. “When it comes to deals like that one, being part of the RBS network is a major advantage for us as a bank,” says Richard Donnan. The RBS Group also provides access to Lombard and its asset-based lending and related services.

Ulster Bank also backs Belfast’s first Entrepreneurial Spark Hub, opened last year and based in a former Ulster Bank branch at Lombard Street in the city

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Eye on Cover Story

“ I know that it might sound ambitious, but we want to be number one for customer service trust and advocacy. But we’re all too aware that words are easy.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

centre. It’s one of 12 such hubs dotted around the UK. Fledging businesses come to Entrepreneurial Spark where they are given free office space, free wi-fi, 1 on 1 advice from E-Spark advisers and access to a powerful network of well over 50 different business mentors from a wide range of disciplines. Around 160 businesses have made use of the Hub in its relatively short life, and during December alone, business there attracted £500,000 worth of investment.

“It’s an amazing place,” says Richard Donnan. “There are all sorts of different business ventures there, and there is a real energy to the place. It’s something we’re very proud of and it’s brought a new lease of life to one of our former branch buildings.”

Ulster Bank, he says, has embarked on a comprehensive programme which has seen 130 of its people so far being trained on entrepreneurial

22

skills and how to better support entrepreneurs. “It’s important,” he says, “that our people understand the mindset of entrepreneurs and appreciate how banks can help them along the way.”

Like his senior colleagues at RBS, Richard Donnan can’t completely avoid the elephant in the room. He’s all too aware that Ulster Bank (to a much lesser extent than RBS) suffered from bad headlines in the wake of the financial crisis. But the recovery, he reckons, is well established.

“I know that it might sound ambitious, but we want to be number one for customer service trust and advocacy.

But we’re all too aware that words are easy. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

Northern Ireland, he reckons, has more than its fair share of entrepreneurial talent and has built up a first-class base of exporting companies. “There is no doubt that there are quite a

number of brilliant companies out there doing the business for this region. The exchange rate situation in the wake of the Brexit vote has been a bonus for them, but these are really good operations.”

Brexit, meanwhile, is a real concern and Richard Donnan has been talking to customers in depth about it during a current Ulster Bank roadshow which took him to Derry recently, where the proximity of the land border adds a real edge to any Brexit discussions.

“It’s important for us as a bank to keep having conversations with our customers, and we’ll continue to do just that,” he says.

“Sterling has been a help to business, the consumer marketplace remains strong and we still have low interest rates and low energy costs.

Price inflation will dampen things down a bit, but overall, we remain positive.”

As for political instability here in Northern Ireland, he joins the well-populated camp reserving judgement until we all see how the March 2nd election and its aftermath pans out.

“There are always risk factors out there. It would be strange if that wasn’t the case. But our mission is to continue to support our customers, whatever the circumstances.”

Richard Donnan has been in the banking business for 28 years, and before his appointment to the Head of NI post in 2015, spent 10 years running the bank’s retail banking operations.

“I’m privileged to be where I am and to be so involved in shaping the future of Ulster Bank going forward. RBS is very supportive of what we’re trying to do on this side of the Irish Sea, and we’re very confident about the coming years. Our customers will be at the heart of that.”

Eye on News

Fintech Company Orca Money Gains Funding

T

Orca Money Ltd has successfully raised £280k seed investment from TechStart NI, the Halo NI EIS Fund and private investors, including members of the NI Fintech Syndicate.

Orca’s Iain Niblock (left) with Paul Clancy of Halo and Jordan Stodart (Orca).

FAIR FA’ YOUR HONEST SONSIE FACE...

Joanna Robinson (Legal Director), Paul McBride (Partner) and Andrea McIlroy Rose (Partner) listen as Christie Jack warms up to pipe in the Haggis at Pinsent Masons Burns Supper. An array of senior business leaders were entertained in Queen’s University Belfast Great Hall by music, poetry, song, and of course a wee dram or two in toast to the great Scots Bard himself, Robert Burns.

he funds will be used to build on the company’s peer-to-peer lending focused financial media site, ‘Orca Retail’, which was launched in early 2016.

The alternative finance market has continued to show strong growth in the UK, with the Peer-to-peer lending market growing to £3.13bn in 2016. With so many different platforms available, Orca Money makes it easy for investors to analyse the various deals offered and allow them to make better decisions.

The company, founded by Iain Niblock and Jordan Stodart was incorporated in 2015, as the pair joined the tech accelerator, Start Planet NI, based in Belfast. It was here where Orca Money grew and caught the eye of Venture Capitalist firm, TechStart NI, who led the seed round.

The team of five is also developing an analytic software solution, called ‘Orca Analytics’, which will allow IFAs to recommend peer-to-peer investments to their clients.

A third product, ‘Orca Investments’, will be launched early 2018 allowing retail investors and IFAs to invest in a diversified fund, comprised of peer-to-peer investments.

PR FOR THE PR PROFESSIONALS

CIPR UK President, Jason MacKenzie pictured with Maurica Mackle, Mackle Communications; Sinead Doyle, MCE Public Relations & Chair, Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) NI and Joris Minne, JComms who were awarded CIPR Chartered PR Practitioner status in January – the highest level of accreditation for PR professionals awarded by the CIPR in London. The new Chair of the CIPR in Northern Ireland, Sinead Doyle has said that the CIPR NI committee will proactively encourage more PR practitioners to invest in their professional development during the year ahead, helping to improve standards of practice across the industry.

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Eye on Hospitality

George Graham... At The Helm Of Crowne Plaza Belfast In December 2016, Belfast’s largest hotel group, Andras Hotels, opened the doors to the first Crowne Plaza in Northern Ireland. In this issue, Business Eye talks to George Graham, the new General Manager of the flagship property.

Q: Tell us about your role: I came on board as GM of Crowne Plaza, Shaws Bridge in November 2016. I joined the company at a very exciting time when we were making the transition from Ramada Plaza to Crowne Plaza.

My first challenge was to lead the team through that change.

The official rebrand came into play on the 16th December – which coincided with a very busy Christmas at the hotel. I am very fortunate that we have a fantastic team and management structure in place which made the transition seamless for the guests.

Q: What does an average day look like for you?

My day starts at 5.45am when I get up and walk the dogs. I then make the journey to work from and am usually at my desk for around 7.15am.

From 7.15am to 8am I catch up on emails and updates and news from the Crowne Plaza HQ. I then usually head up to our Green Room restaurant to check on breakfast and that all the kitchen team and our guests are happy. On an average day we would usually around 180 guests mid-week for breakfast– this could be closer to 300 at the weekend.

We then have our 10.30am meeting with all department heads and go through all the plans for that day and the following. I then make my checks in all departments and meet various staff on a one to one basis. In this role communication is key and it is really my job to hold the whole thing together – I am essentially a conduit for information and my door is always open.

24

I then break for lunch at 2.00pm in our River Bar where I tend to collect my thoughts and prepare for the rest of the day.

On an average day we could have all 12 meeting rooms in our conference suite occupied. We could have a major event with VIPs such as a gala dinner or wedding which could be anywhere up to 570 guests.

Throughout the day we also must plan and prepare for our IHG reward club members arrival– we have to ensure they are appropriately looked after with their points, drinks and compliment use of club lounge.

Throughout the day I will be in regular contact with our head office accounts in Andras House, on budget and revenue as well as talking through our strategic plans.

The office starts to quiet down from 5.00pm onwards and I leave around 6.00pm.

Q: What can guests now expect at the newly branded hotel?

The Crowne Plaza brand is recognized worldwide as a market leading upscale hotel brand that perfectly suits the needs of business and leisure travelers alike.

The rebrand has seen an investment of £600,000 to upgrade the hotel to the exacting Crowne Plaza brand standards.

The new offering is quite simply out-of-this-world and includes a complete refurbishment of the Grand Ballroom, lobby and conference suites.

The hotel now features a new Club Bedrooms and a Club Lounge featuring complimentary continental breakfast, snacks and drinks.

One of our big USPs at the hotel is the Crowne Plaza ‘Sleep Advantage’ programme, which includes new pocket-sprung mattresses and luxurious new bedding, quiet zone bedrooms and aromatherapy kits in every room.

The Green Room restaurant also has a new look, complete with an all new breakfast and a menu concept including Fast and Fresh menu items.

Guests can also get active with the new Energy Station for joggers or use the onsite pool and health club, which has also been refurbished.

Our leisure centre has a 20 metre swimming pool and gymnasium and we also have a children’s play room – something which is hugely popular with our family market.

The Crowne Plaza is unlike anything you will get anywhere else in Belfast with the perfect location, just minutes from the city centre, close to all main arterial routes but within an area of natural outstanding beauty.

Q: What are your thoughts on the hospitality market at present?

For us at Crowne Plaza, we are experiencing an overall uplift in trade. We had a bumper Christmas and our January figures are very strong. Our conference trade is up as is our wedding market.

We have also enjoyed a strong growth in our southern leisure trade. Belfast is buzzing and that is helping the hospitality market grow across the board. This is an exciting time for our industry and for Andras Hotel Group.

Q: What are the future plans of Crowne Plaza?

We have commenced work on the refurbishment of our 120 bedrooms which will complement the ongoing upgrade and improvements we have been making to the property in recent years, with a total investment value of £6million. This will be complete in around 18 month’s time.

For further information on the Crowne Plaza or to make a reservation, please visit www.cpbelfast.com or call 028 9092 3500.

Eye on Communications

With the sale of ISDN and PSTN lines ending in 2020 and the rapid growth of VoIP telephony solutions, 2017 is going to be the year of convergence, where all our voice and data systems work together, making businesses more productive.

Let Unified Communications help your business grow in 2017 W

ith the increasing power, usability and applications of the modern smartphone and growing 4G coverage your fixed line and mobile number will act as one.

Cloud technologies are going to make the business world easier to manage from your phone accessing your voicemail, files and allowing remote collaboration.

In business, Unified Communications (UC) has been adopted across a broad spectrum of industries, as it increases the productivity and reliability of business and its employees.

Unified Communications incorporates a host of services including email, instant messaging and smartphones and is capable of handling both audio and video content. It is ideal for businesses with employees working

remotely or on the go whose main mode of communication is through their mobile device.

Email, text, and voice messaging work seamlessly with live voice, audio and video conferencing, and Web collaboration, in one place, with “presence” notification to indicate your availability to participate.

A finger swipe lets you move between tablet, smartphone, or desktop phones, while a one number service lets calls follow you to whatever device you select – whether in the office, at home, or working remotely on a train – completely transparent to your caller.

UC can work for different working environments, for example, in a traditional office setup, where employees use computers or desk phones;

conference rooms equipped with speaker phones and video conferencing and field employees working from devices including smart phones and tablets.

Ideally, a Unified Communications environment is integrated with the back-end systems that provide services as well as the front-end clients that provide access. For example, the web conferencing system would make use of the audio conferencing system, which in turn would be built on the core IP telephony platform, and a unified messaging email client would allow click-totalk (CTC), click-to-chat, or click-to-video functionality.

Unified Communications tools and collaboration tools overlap significantly; collaboration tools such as those providing service

desk automation or project management systems often incorporate UC features, like team chat, or integrate with external UC systems for those functions. UC also overlaps with contact center technologies -- for example, in the form of automated call distribution (ACD) and interactive voice response (IVR) systems.

Why not make the most of your business in 2017 and ensure that you have Unified Communications as it will not only help with productivity this year, but in the years to come.

Rainbow Communications info@rainbowcomms.com 0800 018 8082 www.rainbowcomms.com.

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ON-SITE SHREDDING IS FOR YOUR EYES ONLY.

OUT OF SITE SHREDDING IS FOR THEIR EYES TOO!

Eye on News

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MARKET 2017 NOT TO BE SWAYED BY EVENTS OF 2016 Despite the fallout from the results of the EU Referendum, CBRE are predicting opportunities for the Northern Ireland Commercial Real Estate Market throughout 2017. This was the message at the launch of their NI Outlook 2017 report which was attended by over 400 delegates.

I

t was predicted at the briefing that early 2017 will see some significant investment deals completed and the office lettings market will continue to see positive incline mainly through refurbishments due to the evermounting demand for Grade A space.

A key driver for 2017 however, will be the hotel development market.

Belfast will see a wave of new hotel developments complete across the next 18 months, with demand driven by year-on-year increases in tourism.

Speaking at the launch of their Outlook 2017 report, Andrew Marston, research director at CBRE UK said: “Despite plenty of uncertainties in the wider political and economic spheres, the fundamentals for

commercial real estate in Northern Ireland remain sound. For most sectors, demand remains robust, but the choice of available space to meet occupiers needs, be it office space or city centre retail units, remains very limited.

“However, this is not a position unique to Belfast: numerous other UK city markets are facing similar challenges at this time. And from an investors’ point of view, value is still to be had in Northern Ireland, with a clear pricing differential between comparable markets in both the UK and Ireland.”

Brian Lavery, managing director, CBRE Belfast commented: “Belfast has a strong demand for hotel rooms and an ever-growing tourism industry, it is encouraging

Miles Gibson, Head of UK Research, CBRE; Andrew Marston, director, CBRE UK Research; Brian Lavery, Managing Director, CBRE Belfast

to see developers addressing the requirement in the city. The hotel sector has strengthened over the last number of years and is set to make significant strides in 2017, with over 1,000 beds being built.”

“2016 was certainly stalled in terms of investment transactions, however it was a record year for office lettings, with 40% more than 2015 indicating the strength of the market from the private sector. Given the demand for Grade A stock, 2017 will see a number of high-spec refurbishment projects from developers to convert existing space in Belfast.”

Presenting on the effects of Brexit for NI at the Outlook launch was Miles Gibson, head of research at CBRE UK and formerly of HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office. He said: “Whilst we are unlikely to see the full picture emerging from the EU referendum result in 2017, Northern

Ireland will have some advantageous benefits over its UK counterparts.

“Weaker sterling, a unique tax regime, a lower dependence on migrant labour than other parts of the UK, and the likelihood of special border arrangements with the Republic of Ireland will all help the Northern Ireland real estate market through this uncertain period.”

Brian Lavery further commented on the remainder of the market: “There is no doubt that the Brexit result has seen a positive upswing to the retail market in Northern Ireland. The fall of sterling has resulted in a significant rise in cross-border shoppers. We also saw large investments within retail at the tail end of 2016 with the £14 million purchase of Currys/PC World at Sprucefield and in particular, Damolly Retail Park in Newry which was bought as a non-core asset for in excess of £30 million.”

KPMG TOPS DEALS TABLE Accountancy firm KPMG has topped the table for the highest number of completed deals in Northern Ireland in 2016, according to Experian’s 2016 M&A Review.

R KPMG’s Russell Smyth

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ussell Smyth, Director, KPMG Deal Advisory said “We are pleased with last year’s performance, which reflects the strong transaction appetite which we are seeing in the market. KPMG’s transactions were generated from across the spectrum from inward private equity funding, indigenous

consolidation, as well as sector leading energy and project finance transactions. We see robust transaction appetite continuing into 2017, and with capital availability remaining strong, we expect transaction volumes to be maintained”.

John Hansen, Partner in Charge of KPMG in Northern Ireland said

“Despite the continuing economic uncertainty it is heartening to see that overall Northern Ireland recorded a 31% increase in deal volume – proving Northern Ireland is a great location for investment”.

The Experian M&A Review is carried out in 11 regions in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Eye on Health

Non-surgical Face Lifts (thread lifts)

If you would like to reverse the signs of ageing in the lower part of your face, a ‘non-surgical face lift ‘ called the thread lift may well be the best possible option outside surgery.

Mr Ashok Songra, Consultant Surgeon

BEFORE

AFTER

TESTIMONIAL

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his treatment (also known as a ‘one stitch face lift’) uses absorbable threads to lift and rejuvenate your facial skin, resulting in a fresher, more youthful appearance.

These treatments can also be used to target specific areas of the face and are recommended to lift and contour the following areas brows,crows feet, cheeks, nasolabial folds and marionette lines, jawline and neck area.

Treatment summary Thread lifts - a new lifting method based on the implantation of multiple threads, creating a vectoral network that acts as a support to tissue.

• Procedure Time- 1-2 hours • Anaesthetic - local anaesthetic and topical numbing cream • Back to work - varies dependant on bruising swelling

Famous Advocate Gillian Taylforth

“I couldn’t be happier“

• Full recovery time 1-2 weeks • Sensitivity - 48 hours • Risks and complications - bruising, infection,soreness,allergic reactions • Result duration 1-2 years • Result effects - lifting results immediately, rejuvenating effect gradually becomes visible over time.

• Availability- Cosmetech will be the first clinic to offer these treatments in Ireland.

We are offering theses treatments in our Holywood, Belfast and London clinics.

• Cost from £795- £2500

Mr Songra Consultant Surgeon in head, neck and facial surgery, is on the UK’s anti-wrinkle validator panel, which assesses safety and the ability of practitioners in administering anti- wrinkle injections for cosmetic purposes.

Mr Songra has a reputation for creating some of the most naturallooking cosmetic work in the business. He has a loyal following of people at his Holywood and Chelsea Private Clinics who discreetly maintain their youthful looks.

His signature work is ‘the natural look’ — the treatment results are so good that people know you look

good but theyEYE don’t know why!

BUSINESS READER OFFER: For a complimentary non-surgical consultation and to receive your 10%introductory offer please call: 028 90 423200 and present this article.

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For more information call Cosmetech Clinics 028 90 423200 or visit www. cosmetech.co.uk

29

Eye on Business Education

Professor Mark Durkin A New Future For Ulster University Business School 30

Eye on Business Education

Professor Mark Durkin, has a clear vision of where he wants Ulster University Business School to be in years to come.

“O

ur target is to establish Ulster University Business School as the No. 1 centre for entrepreneurial education and research anywhere in the UK,” he says simply. It might seem like an ambitious goal, but it’s not widely appreciated around Northern Ireland that Ulster University is already up there with the league leaders on the business education front.

It’s ranked 6th in the UK in terms of size, 7th for research impact and has a GVA (gross value added) impact on the local economy estimated at £40 million.

It does even better when it comes student satisfaction. The annual government-run National Student Survey ranked Ulster at joint No. 1 for Economics, No. 4 for Marketing and No. 5 for Accounting & HRM and 6th for Finance with Tourism subjects ranked at 7th..

And, with its multi-million pound new campus rapidly taking shape on York Street in the centre of Belfast, the university is about to start making a much more significant impact on the city as a whole. The new Belfast city centre campus, due to start playing host to students in 2019, will eventually be home to upwards of 15,000 of them.

Mark Durkin, a former head of the academic Marketing & Entrepreneurship Department

in the Business School and the commercial marketing function at the University was a career banker with Bank of Ireland before he made the move into academic life, and is one of four new Executive Deans chosen to head up a streamlined line-up of four key faculties at the university.

Each of the new Executive Deans is being given a high degree of autonomy to manage the key strategic business units at Ulster University, as identified by the new Vice Chancellor and which make up an important part of his wider vision.

Paddy Nixon arrived at Ulster University last summer from the University of Tasmania in Australia. A native of Liverpool, he spent a good part of his early academic career on the staff of both Trinity College and University College Dublin.

Mark Durkin is clear on the Business School’s direction….

“My own vision is informed by the need for us to adopt a market-led focus. That means that we must listen to what businesses here in Northern Ireland want from us, and we’ll be stepping up the conversation process over the coming months with that in mind.

“Since I took up this role a couple of months ago, I’ve been working hard with my executive team here

in the Business School to look at how we can do things differently.

“While outputs and measurements are critically important, we need also to move from metrics to meaning... from strategy to real operational achievements.”

A distinct international focus will certainly be part of the new strategy. Durkin isn’t long back from an Ulster University ‘sales’ trip to Sri Lanka to work on the early stage recruitment of overseas students, and he’s also been a frequent visitor to China, where Ulster University already has established academic links. It also has associations with a number of establishments in the US, not least Babson College in Boston, which is ranked first in the US for entrepreneurial business education and Harvard Business School.

International links and a close relationship with the business community here are both major priorities in Mark Durkin’s book.

But the Executive Dean also stresses the importance of quality teaching, quality research and – crucially – the fact that both must work together in order to make a demonstrable impact on enhancing student learning.

“We want to see more tangible and practical links between the university, its students and businesses here in Northern Ireland.

That’s vital for the future,” he says.

Students from the Business School recently completed a major collaboration, on the public sector front, with Libraries NI to address the key challenge for the library service.....marrying the digital age with the community role of public libraries.

“Research is very important to any university. But, in my view, research in a business school context has to be practical and usable rather than merely cerebral. It has to be focused on improving the lives of business practitioners and helping them think and act differently for the betterment of their businesses.”

Ulster University Business School is likely to grow as it beds into its new surroundings at the Belfast city centre campus. But it’s already one of the biggest schools of its kind on the UK university map, with 110 academic staff and some 5,000 students

on its books at any given time.

And the Business School spreads itself across all four of the Ulster University campuses – the new city centre site, the campus at Jordanstown, Ulster University Coleraine and the Magee College campus in L/Derry.

As a whole, the university maintains links to the business community in a variety of different ways, but one of the most effective, according to Mark Durkin, is its large network of visiting professors....40 high achievers from a variety of walks of life prepared to put some of their real life businesse and personal experience back into helping aspiring business leaders here.

“We’ll be meeting up with all of our visiting professors over the coming weeks to talk about how things are changing here at Ulster University and to tell them more about the Business School’s own strategy for future development and to see how we can co-create even greater value.”

The new city centre campus will rapidly become a community and business innovation hub as well as a centre for education.

“As well as the core business of education delivery, I’d like it to be a venue for business meetings, for networking lunches at our Academy Restaurant, for informal catch ups over coffee between students and businesses... a real focal point in the city centre,” says Mark.

“Gone are the days when universities tended to be a bit dusty, academic and remote from their communities. We’re setting out to make the new campus in particular both modern and inclusive rather than traditional and exclusive – to be embedded within the civic society in which we’re based rather than an ivory tower to be looked up to.”

Mark Durkin says that he’s been working for upwards of 30 years now, but sees this as his biggest challenge by some distance.

“Like a lot of people, I respond best to those who empower me, and that’s what Paddy Nixon has done for me in this new role.

Any good university is a people business. And what’s important for us now is that our people and our students buy into the exciting new future that Ulster University can look forward to.”

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Eye on Law

How Businesses Must Deal With Modern Slavery The £36 million turnover threshold means that the legal requirement to publish a statement will not apply to many companies in Northern Ireland. However, where most will be impacted is through larger businesses having a responsibility to scrutinise their supply chains and ensure there is no slavery or human trafficking taking place in the companies with which they do business.

With recent research carried out by Schroders finding that the corporate sector was dramatically affected by modern slavery, it is imperative that local employers carry out internal and external due diligence on this

For example, the supplier should be asked whether there has been conduct on its part or the part of any employee, agent or subcontractor before the MSA came into effect that might give rise to an investigation or allegation of slavery or human trafficking in the supply chain.

It would also be prudent for either the company compliance language to be amended to include reference to compliance with the MSA or, alternatively, a separate clause should be added to all template contracts dealing with the MSA and prohibiting the use of forced or trafficked labour.

“ The £36 million turnover threshold means that the legal requirement to publish a statement will not apply to many companies in Northern Ireland. However, where most will be impacted is through larger businesses having a responsibility to scrutinise their supply chains and ensure there is no slavery or human trafficking taking place in the companies with which they do business.“

Emma-Jane Flannery, Employment Law Partner at leading law firm Arthur Cox, places the issue of modern slavery on the radar of local businesses and outlines steps they must take to tackle the problem.

D

oes your business have an anti-slavery and human trafficking policy?

This may not be a question which has traditionally been to the forefront of many Northern Ireland employers’ minds, but it’s something companies should be thinking seriously about following legislation which came into effect last year.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA) recognises that businesses have a role to play in tackling crimes of slavery and human trafficking. Indeed, in Section 54 it stipulates that commercial

32

organisations with a global turnover above £36 million must publish an annual slavery and human trafficking statement for each financial year.

The statement must disclose what steps the organisation has taken to ensure that human trafficking is not taking place in any of its supply chains or its business; or alternatively state that it has taken no such steps. Transparency is the overarching goal of the MSA, as it aims to ensure the corporate sector is doing all it can to combat what is a growing worldwide problem.

issue. A standalone anti-slavery and human trafficking policy should be prepared for the company or, alternatively, clauses on slavery could be incorporated into a wider corporate social responsibility policy.

Companies should by now have produced or be producing their first slavery and human trafficking statements for the financial year ended 31st December 2016. The statements should be published on a relevant company website or made available for inspection by no later than 30th June 2017.

Proactive steps should be taken by companies to investigate all potential suppliers, and the markets in which they operate, to ascertain the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in that market, as well as the supplier’s reputation and history in that context.

A lot of people may struggle to associate the traditional image of enslavement, of people forced to provide labour, with the context of modern business.

While this is understandable, the issue of slavery is not one that local employers can ignore.

If they haven’t already, they should take the steps outlined above to ensure they are meeting all their responsibilities in tackling the problem.

The Employment Law Team at Arthur Cox is well positioned to advise on all aspects of employment law.

Call +44 28 9023 0007 for further information from Emma-Jane or your regular Arthur Cox contact.

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Eye on Business Profile

34

Eye on Business Profile

Aidan Larkin...

Wilsons Auctions’ Asset Man As Aidan Larkin admits, he’s learnt a thing or two about assets and their value over his varied professional career, a career which has taken him to his current post as Group Asset Recovery Manager at NI-based Wilsons Auctions.

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tarting his career in HMRC (then known as the Inland Revenue) at the tender age of 19 he went on to become the youngest income tax inspector in the Northern Ireland region within four and half years after being accepted onto their fast stream development programme.

He went on to join HMRC’s Criminal Taxes Unit, working on a number of high profile tax investigations as part of a pan-UK team before following a well-worn path from HMRC to the accountancy sector where he worked on the insolvency side of a leading Belfast practice.

“From initial investigations through to asset sales, asset realisation has been something of a theme right through my career to date,” he smiles.

Aware of Wilsons Auctions in both of his previous roles, Aidan joined the company three years ago working to his current position managing asset recovery across the group.

“Asset recovery work here at Wilsons was increasing rapidly, having landed a major contract as the sole disposal agent to the Home Office. Peter Johnston, Group Operations Director and Ian (Wilson) saw that I could bring something to the table, and felt they needed someone with my expertise to help establish us as the leading asset realisation provider to the majority of law enforcement agencies and public sector bodies in the UK and Ireland.

“With the dedication of our

hardworking and dedicated team, we’ve rapidly grown from representing a handful of agencies to now representing every public sector body on the island of Ireland and over 30 police forces nationally. To date we’ve put over £80 million pounds back into the public purse and its very satisfying for all of us to play such an important role in that process.

“Lots of people tend to think of Wilsons Auctions as a place up at Belfast, or in Portadown, where you can buy a car, van or machinery. They are often very surprised to see the scale of what we do and don’t realise we are the largest independent auction house in the UK and Ireland.

“The hammer coming down on any asset being sold is only the end of the story. We’re involved right from the start, liaising with police forces, recovering assets, doing all the paperwork, auctioning them and returning the proceeds to the public purse”.

“Quite often the money raised at our government auctions go directly to good causes such as funding a drug rehabilitation centre or building a kid’s play park in a disadvantaged area.

There’s nothing more satisfying than being able to say we have played a part in that and really encourages our staff to go that extra mile and make the sales as successful as possible.

The kind of assets being managed and auctioned by the asset recovery department at Wilsons Auctions has already made media headlines.

Among the items sold off have been gold bullion, an Olympic dressage horse, a vessel used for one of Europe’s biggest cocaine smuggling operations, a luxury home in Marbella, an array of supercars made by the likes of Lamborghini and Ferrari …..and more bizarre items like a collection of Star Wars and Star Trek memorabilia worth £100,000.

“It doesn’t make a lot of difference to us what the asset actually is,” says Aidan Larkin.

“Our job is to process it, sell it and return the proceeds to the authorities as quickly as we can.

We don’t get involved in the story behind any of the items.

That’s not our business.”

Wilsons Auctions, he says, might be a family firm at its core, but it’s a company which is quick to learn, to adapt and to change if necessary. “It’s really impressed me,” he says. “Having come from the civil service, it was refreshing to see how they embraced new ways of working and both Peter and Ian are very quick to take on new ideas and to keep re-shaping the business. That’s impressive for an organisation with 300 staff and with a hammer total approaching £250 million.”

These days, Wilsons Auctions is dominant in the public sector asset recovery marketplace, working with police forces stretching from Police Scotland in the north to Kent Police in the south east on disposing of proceeds of crime. It also holds the main UK contract for the Home Office and National Crime Agency to name a few.

The firm, with its headquarters in Belfast alongside its busy auction operation there, also has auction bases at Portadown, in Dublin, at Dalry in Ayrshire (Scotland), at three locations

in England (Newcastle, Telford and Maidstone) and at Queensferry in North Wales.

“We’re kept busy preparing tenders and proposals to make sure that we keep our lead in the public sector asset recovery market, and we travel all over the British Isles to keep in contact with our public sector customers and to keep up to speed with changes in legislation etc.

“Our team is filled with lots of experienced staff who have worked in law enforcement and financial backgrounds and that gives us a real advantage in dealing with our client’s requests and allows us to develop bespoke strategies when dealing with the more complicated assets.

“I think what sets us apart from our competitors is our passion.

We treat each asset like it’s our own and ensure our client or customer is always given the best possible experience and we’re not afraid of change. And that, I think is why we stay so busy, we never stop working for our clients and always try and exceed expectations.

As a result Wilsons Auctions is prepared for growth. “In the last 12 months alone, we’ve opened two new sites and landed an incredible 13 public sector contracts,” he adds.

“The sky really is the limit and who knows where the next 12 months will take us”.

Confident communicator and sharp presenter he might be, but Aidan Larkin buys into the slogan that sits behind Group Operations Director Peter Johnston’s desk at Wilsons Auctions in Belfast.

‘Work hard in silence, let success be your noise’....a quote attributed, by the way, to American R&B artist and rapper Frank Ocean.

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Eye on News

BARCLAYS IN NEW LOANS PUSH As new research uncovers over 1500 extra jobs waiting to be created from Northern Ireland SMEs by 2021, Barclays has launched a mobile business lending service capable of providing instant loans to businesses.

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hough almost a third of SMEs are not planning on applying for a loan despite acknowledging it would boost their business, the research shows that 64 per cent of SMEs’ turnover would increase if they successfully secured the right loan, which could generate over 1500 extra jobs in Northern Ireland over the next four years.

In response, Barclays has created mobile loans for businesses, making SME loans and overdrafts instantly available to

its client base through the Barclays Mobile Banking app. Barclays is the first UK bank to offer the service, which radically reduces the time taken to get a loan from a matter of weeks to under an hour.

The research found that: Across the UK, 30 per cent of SMEs have decided not to apply for a loan despite thinking it would boost their business.

SMEs who have applied for funding expect the lending process to take at least five weeks, whereas for many the funds are now available on their mobile, pre-assessed, so they can access funding within one hour.

Removing the myth that banks don’t want to lend by making loans and overdrafts available instantly on smartphones could deliver over 1500 extra jobs in Northern Ireland by 2021, generated from growth by local SMEs. This would mean £900million economic boost per annum for Northern Ireland economy, if invested in productive potential

Of all the regions in the UK, London would generate the most new jobs from extra lending to SMEs, with the South East of England and East Midlands in second and third place respectively.

Adrian Doran, Barclays’ Head of Corporate Banking in Northern Ireland, said: “We recognise that some businesses are cautious about applying for a loan, whilst many more simply do not have the time.

“Our new, pre-assessed lending gives customers the ability to see how much they could borrow on their mobile and we can get that money to them more quickly than ever so they can invest in and focus on running their businesses. This is another example of new innovative technology we are launching which has significant benefits for Northern Ireland SMEs.” Brexit presents new reasons to lend The research also found that one in five SMEs believe Brexit is impacting their current or future funding requirements.

Of those, the most common reasons cited were a need to start exporting to new, non-EU markets, Brexit economic uncertainty and a need to replace current employees who are EU citizens. A further one in ten (12 per cent) SMEs did not know whether they would be impacted by Brexit.

However, a quarter (24 per cent) of SMEs believe it will be harder to secure a loan in 2017, with Brexit causing economic/political uncertainty and global economic uncertainty cited as the main reasons.

Mr Doran continued: “Since the EU Referendum our appetite for lending has not diminished and we continue to lend to an SME in the UK every four minutes. We want to help SMEs in Northern Ireland be confident in their future business plans, including looking at new opportunities to export. We are particularly determined to reach out to those businesses who believe lending will be more difficult next year to see where we can help.”

TUGHANS MAINTAINS TOP ADVISOR RANKING AND ADDS TOP VALUE POSITION FOR 2016

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elfast based law firm Tughans, for the second year in a row, has topped the Experian Deal Review and Advisor League Table for the number of deals completed in Northern Ireland.

The report indicates that Tughans was the most active legal advisor in terms of volume for 2016 participating in over 30% of all Northern Ireland deals, and 38% more deals than the next placed

36

legal advisor. Northern Ireland’s deal performance at 228 was up by 31% since 2015 and 105% better than 2014.

Experian reported that manufacturing was once again the most active industry with 69 transactions, a 35.3% increase over the previous year. In second place was the wholesale and retail sector which saw deal volumes increase by 115% to 58, with financial services also seeing a substantial 238% increase to take the third spot on 44.

Tughans’ submissions to Experian included a spread of transactions across multiple sectors including manufacturing, technology and energy, and multiple jurisdictions, such as the sale of indigenous tech company Sophia Search to Californian based Mixaroo, and the sale

of Path XL to Phillips head-quartered in Holland. One notable exception in the Experian tally, due to the Report’s criteria, was the firms work on the multi-million pound Randox Healthcare sponsorship with the Jockey Club, incorporating support for the Grand National.

Commenting on the success Patrick Brown, Manging Partner, Tughans said: “The last year has been strong for the firm having advised in 31% of all M&A transactions in Northern Ireland representing 62% of the total gross deal value and 38% more than the next ranked legal advisor. The number of deals we completed has doubled from 2015, a positive sign that despite continuing uncertainty in the economy there is still significant activity and clients are

placing their trust in us to deliver the high quality legal services required to support and execute their strategic plans.”

“Although the headline making deals have come from the manufacturing sector – our largest Experian deal this year was the sale of local company Delta Print and Packaging to Huhtamaki for £80million – the deal volumes have be bolstered by active technology and real estate sectors and a marked increase in investment activity.”

The report was carried out by the UK and Ireland division of global information services company Experian and the Northern Ireland League Tables form part of a detailed review of deal transactions in eleven UK regions and the Republic of Ireland.

Eye on Finance

BDO Northern Ireland...

Client Focus The Key To Growth

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Eye on Finance BDO Northern Ireland’s office is a bit like the firm itself. It doesn’t look very big from the outside, but it’s home to 10 partners and 170 members of staff.

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he Belfast city centre office, run very much as its own unit within the wider BDO structure, has continued to grow at some pace over recent years. The practice recruits from both local universities, but has also forged strong links with the FE sector and even with potential recruits coming straight from local schools and being sponsored through their university years.

“We have built strong relationships with Northern Ireland’s universities, colleges and schools and this has been instrumental to our recruitment success” says BDO Senior Partner Nigel Harra. We took on 18 new people at junior level during 2016 and that’s on top of 21 during the previous year.”

BDO’s home-grown approach to staff development has paid dividends. Five of the Northern Ireland firm’s ten partners have come through the system, so to speak. “The opportunities are here for young people to build careers with us,” says Sean Lavery, the firm’s tax Partner and one of the five home-grown senior people. “It’s an open and engaging business culture here, and I think that works very well.

We were once those freshfaced graduates, after all.”

“We’re not grounded in numbers either,” adds Peter Burnside. “Exams results are important. But we look past the numbers these days at people who can work with other people.

Relationship skills are crucial.”

Around the boardroom table to talk about BDO Northern Ireland are four partners – Managing Partner Peter Burnside, Senior Partner Nigel Harra and the Heads of Advisory & Tax, Brian Murphy and Sean Lavery.

Between the four of them, they have very close of 100 years of experience with the firm.

“It sounds alarming when it’s put like that,” smiles Peter Burnside. “But one thing it

reflects is that people don’t tend to leave this firm. We’ve got a lot of young people at one end, but we’ve also got a lot of very experienced people around these offices.”

He described BDO NI as a local firm with a global network in the background. But it’s a global network that comes in very handy. Burnside reckons that staff in the Belfast office have had to deal with BDO colleagues in 70-odd different countries over the years.

“As a firm, we like to concentrate on working with people. They say that 80% of private sector businesses here are family owned businesses and we deal with a large number of them from small companies up to very large ones,” he adds. “Behind the firms, BDO also works with the families and the people who make up those families.”

BDO has worked with some of the big guns of the Northern Ireland business scene and is a key adviser to many of Northern Ireland’s top companies.

“I heard 2016 described recently as ‘not a bad year’ by one our local economists,” says Head of Advisory, Brian Murphy. “But I think it was a good year for Northern Ireland.

Despite the shadow of Brexit and political issues hanging over us we have been getting on with the job whatever the background noise has been.”

The construction sector, all four of BDO’s partners around the table agree, has been faring well, in part because of its flexibility in looking at export opportunities.

“The exchange rate in the wake of the Brexit vote has provided a lot of exporting companies here with a bit of a boost and a springboard into what might be a more challenging 2017,” adds Sean Lavery. “As well as construction, I think we’ve seen positive signs in manufacturing and engineering, and that’s before you get into the likes of agri food.

“We’ve got people based all over Northern Ireland who are out there selling in the Middle East, the Far East and all over the world. It’s really encouraging.”

Unlike some of the large accountancy and business advisory practices, BDO Northern Ireland has a very clear private sector focus. Its clients span across the major sector of the local economy, with key areas including construction, manufacturing and hotels and leisure.

The work, of course, hasn’t always been on the positive side of the equation in recent years.

Like others in the field, BDO has had to handle its fair share of post-recession restructuring work. “We’ve always tried to work towards consensual agreements when it comes to this kind of thing,” says Peter Burnside. “Change has to be faced up but it can help if it’s approached in an innovative way.

“I did try to tot up how many jobs we might have helped to save through restructuring work but I stopped counting at around the 4,000 mark.

But we’re proud of that. It’s an important contribution for us to have made.”

“ I heard 2016 described recently as ‘not a bad year’ by one our local economists, but I think it was a good year for Northern Ireland. Despite the shadow of Brexit and political issues hanging over us we have been getting on with the job whatever the background noise has been.”

On the hotels and leisure front, it’s well known that there are some 20 new hotels either planned or under construction around Northern Ireland, and in Belfast in particular. BDO is involved as an adviser on a number of key projects, and continues to monitor the hotels and leisure sector in the region as a whole.

“We’re seeing the investment that this city needs, as well as the expansion in hotel numbers that we badly need,” says Brian Murphy. “The tourist numbers keep on growing and at last we’re starting to catch up in terms of our infrastructure here.”

With so many family firms and families on its books, BDO NI has also developed an area of specialisation when it comes to succession planning.

“We have a long tradition of working closely with family businesses and individuals through a practice that is headed up by Maybeth Shaw from our Belfast office. That can mean working with companies as well as working with wealthy families.” says Peter Burnside.

“It’s a very relationship intensive side of our business, but it’s one that suits how we do things.”

Specialist areas apart, BDO in Northern Ireland is a full service firm offering its clients services ranging from audit to accounts and on to tax and advisory.

Whilst the current political situation has created uncertainty over the introduction of our own corporation tax rate, Sean Lavery argues that this will not have as significant an impact for local business as it will for those seeking to attract FDI into NI. “With the UK corporation tax rate continuing to narrow against the rate in Ireland, indigenous business are not as concerned about the local CT rate as they are about other factors notably having the right skilled workforce and suitably trained graduates, reliable transport links and access to export markets. There are many examples of Northern Ireland businesses coupling leading edge innovation with a “can do” attitude to succeed locally and internationally. More of this will be needed in the times ahead.”

Peter Burnside says that BDO’s priority is to continue working for Northern Ireland and working for its clients.

“We’ll continue to invest in our people, developing them not just as accountants but also as people who can deal with people. We work with our clients proactively and that’s what is important to us as a firm.”

39

Eye on Technology

Leading Edge Business Technology...

With Xperience

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There aren’t too many IT businesses based in Northern Ireland that have been around since the late 1960’s... when the concept information technology was just beginning to evolve.

Lisburn-based Xperience Group is one of few. It is an organisation that has changed, evolved and continued to innovate over the decades. The fact it is now an industry leader in Northern Ireland is testament to its strength, resilience and determination.

Established in 1969, Xperience Group is an IT solutions provider specialising in IT Infrastructure, Cloud and

Business Applications -including Accounting and ERP solutions.

Over the years Xperience’s appetite for growth lead to business acquisitions and new ventures, ultimately resulting in how the group looks today - 100 staff, across 3 locations with over 5,000 customers across its four key technology units:- IT Infrastructure, Cloud, CRM and Accounts & ERP.

And it’s not just a leading player here, the group operates across the UK with successful offices in Peterborough and Glasgow. In line with plans for continued expansion, Xperience has announced the appointment of four new company directors, who will help steer future growth plans.

Introducing…

Paula Lynch has been with the company for close to 20 years. Her role began in account support and customer service before qualifying as a chartered management accountant and heading up the finance department. Paula will join the board as Finance Director.

Richard Kennedy looks after the groups cloud division as well as the dayto-day management of the engineering team. Richard has been involved in the tech sector for over 17 years and has founded numerous companies, the last of which was acquired in 2010.

Richard will join the board as Cloud Services & Infrastructure Director.

Neil Slater joined the company in 2003, when there were only eight others employed in the Peterborough offices. Now with a much larger work force, Neil is the man in charge at the groups Peterborough office.

Moving on from his position as General Manager, Neil will join the board as Operations Director.

Mark Kinkead started his professional career as a programmer before moving on to specialise in Microsoft Dynamics NAV, the market-leading ERP (enterprise resource planning) software for medium to large enterprises. He now joins the board in the role of Product Development Director.

Eye on Technology

B

usiness Eye caught up with the four new additions to the Xperience Board to get their perspective on industry changes and future predictions: It’s now 2017, have customer expectations changed over the years?

“Our customers have changed beyond all recognition over the years, there is no such thing as a standard 9-5” says Paula.

“In today’s environment clients expect their systems to work, deliver results and be available 24/7, 365” adds Mark.

Richard elaborates, “As customer demands grow, we have to adapt to ensure we exceed expectations. For example, to allow us to provide a cloud solution that is capable of delivering 100% uptime, we monitor every aspect of our infrastructure 24/7/365,

to allow us to proactively address any potential issues in seconds. “ What is the driving force behind this?

Neil Slater suggests the key driving force behind SME’s IT requirements is accessibility. “Thanks to the invention of the Smart Phone, people expect to access information anytime, anywhere and businesses are no different. With the latest technology now downloadable at the click of a button from an app store, customers expect the same from their business applications.”

Have you noticed any technology trends for SME’s?

“We see massive growth in the use of the cloud by business customers of all shapes and sizes. In fact, cloud

adoption rates have been growing year on year among our SME client base, with sales of the traditional ‘tin’ servers in decline,” says Paula.

“Neil’s point on accessibility has definitely been a driving force for cloud adoption, as well as the increasing need for integration among business systems. As a technology provider, we ensure that new technology is cloud ready, and compatible with current IT systems,” adds Mark.

How is Xperience Group best placed to support its customers in times of change?

“For us, it’s all about being able to quickly react to changes in the market.

Innovation is the key to commercial success, and as a business, this is something we are continually

seeking to achieve,” says Paula.

Richard remarks, “Due to our extensive experience in designing, deploying and managing cloud platforms, , we can offer businesses a world-class, cloud computing solution which enables us to deliver high performance, high availability public and private cloud computing solutions whilst also mitigating todays modern security risks” “On the cloud front, Xperience sees its future lying well outside of Northern Ireland. “Geography means nothing when it comes to the cloud,” says Richard Kennedy. “There’s no reason why we can’t work from here in Lisburn with companies and organisations in the USA or anywhere else in the world!” concludes Richard.

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Eye on Law

MONYE ANYADIKE-DANES...

Commercial Bar Perspective On Business, Mediation And Brexit As one of Northern Ireland’s most experienced commercial lawyers, Monye Anyadike-Danes QC is well placed to offer a view on the challenges facing businesses here, especially in the wake of the Supreme Court having decided that that the Government must seek Parliamentary approval before notifying the European Council (under Article 50) of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

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hilst it is commonly accepted that the Supreme Court ruling which requires an Act of Parliament to authorise ministers to give the Notice will likely prolong the Brexit process, Monye Anyadike-Danes says that companies here need to start reading into Brexit issues now.

“I do think that preparation is hugely important. Companies need to consider how leaving the EU might impact on their businesses,

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on contracts, on joint ventures, on how they sell and where they sell, and on financial management,” she says. “The best way to do that it to carry out an audit across the board of their contracts and operations”.

“At least we have a little more transparency now and the flow of information from government has started to improve. But it is crucial that Northern Ireland is represented in any negotiations on the withdrawal and for the

subsequent trade agreement with the EU. The negotiations for the trade agreement are particularly important for Northern Ireland, not only because it has the only land border with an EU member state but also because of the extent of the trade with Ireland and its significance to the Northern Ireland economy.”

“Of course it will take a while for the full impact of Brexit to be felt, but it’s much better to be in a

position to plan ahead, rather than run into problems when the process gets underway and have to react”.

“There will be time. If Article 50 is triggered in 2017, it will still take time for the rest of the process to follow on. But businesses need to use the time that we have wisely”.

“What is important for companies is that they hedge against their worst fears but at the same time prepare so that they can capitalise on their best hopes....”

Eye on Law

“I think that businesses do look at their legal responsibilities a lot more closely these days. It may be a legacy of the toughest recession any of us has seen,” she says. “The recession meant that a lot of businesses were forced into administration and insolvency and the consequences were dire for some thanks to personal guarantees given to the banks.”

“From now on, businesses are likely to be much more aware of their legal rights but also of their legal obligations, and I think that can only be a good thing. It’s certainly an important change.

Also, I think businesses here in Northern Ireland are now more outward-looking than ever before. In some ways that is ironic, just when they face Brexit and the possibility of tariff barriers to some of their most significant markets. Whilst that attitude is beneficial when we are within the EU, it is likely to be essential once we are out of it.”

Monye Anyadike-Danes is qualified as a barrister, a Queen’s Counsel and works as both an arbitrator and mediator. So she’s well placed to comment on the effectiveness of mediation as distinct from litigation in the courts.

“Litigation is a zero sum game, whereas mediation can produce an outcome which is a lot easier for a business to understand and to cope with. Most importantly, it’s certainly not a sign of weakness to suggest mediation.”

So like others in the legal profession, Monye Anyadike-Danes welcomes the fact that more and more companies are turning to mediation to settle commercial disputes without recourse to expensive litigation. This does not mean that legal advice is not required, rather it is targeted more towards the necessary strategy to help clients identify and manage their litigation risk in a dispute and to get the best out of the mediation.

“There is no doubt that mediation is now increasingly seen as a highly effective alternative to litigation, and that’s something that should be welcomed.”

In any commercial dispute which goes to law, she explains, a preaction protocol letter must be issued, offering the opportunity of a preaction meeting between the parties and their legal representatives.

“At that stage, mediation can be at least discussed as a possible way forward. Even if proceedings have

to be commenced sometimes to get the full attention of parties,” she adds. “It’s then often a case of when and how to move towards mediation.

“The bottom line is that mediation can save a large amount of legal costs and can be a very effective way of settling a wide range of commercial disputes, not all of which could be accommodated in legal proceedings. And it is also confidential, which for some clients is its most highly prized feature.”

Monye is the first female, and first Northern Irish, chair of the British Irish Commercial Bar Association (BICBA), which represents commercial barristers and solicitors right across England, Scotland, Wales and both parts of Ireland.

“BICBA is a very useful forum to bring together solicitors, barristers, and members of the judiciary involved in commercial work,” she adds. “We also look outward at ways in which the legal profession can work together to improve the service it provides to commercial clients in the UK and Ireland.”

BICBA, she says, seeks to forge links with the business community to look at ways in which business and specialist lawyers can work more effectively together. Belfast played

host for the first time to BICBA’s annual conference last year when the theme was ‘Technology and the Law’. This year the conference is in Manchester and will focus on Brexit.

And that’s not the only way in which BICBA looks outward. It has also been instrumental in efforts to bring more international legal work home. “As an example BICBA delegations have been to Dubai on a couple of occasions and we’re due to return later this year. We were well received and are developing the relationship. We’re also planning a visit to Latin America,” says Monye Anyadike-Danes QC. “The Bar of Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Commercial Bar Association have also been working to attract overseas work.

In August 2016 it announced that it had secured the premises for a new specialist Mediation Centre in Belfast. These are developments that I intend to promote. The other Northern Ireland BICBA members will be doing the same.”

“Belfast already has a toe-hold in the international market and we’re confident that we can grow our market share. Even a relatively small number of international cases could make a significant impact here.”

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Eye on Round Table

Business On The Go...

Are We Realising The Potential Of Technology?

Business Eye joined forces with BT Business to stage a Round Table discussion at BT’s Riverside Tower Headquarters in Belfast.

The subject? How businesses are using mobile technology to maximise both business performance and to impact on the bottom line.

Mobile technology has changed the way we all interact, exchange information and connect in our personal lives.... and it’s increasingly transforming business whether it’s through devices, connectivity, security, policy or apps.

Are local businesses taking full advantage of enterprise mobility?

Can it be a cost issue for smaller businesses? How important is security?

Our panel considers those and other key questions...

The Participants RB – Is mobile technology at the centre of what you do, Adrian?

Paul Convery, Head of BT Business in Northern Ireland

Ann McGregor, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Adrian Toner, Chief Operating Officer, First Derivatives

AT – It runs to the very heart of the First Derivatives business model.

We’re all about employee mobility.

We have 1,700 staff working for us globally, the majority of them on client sites. But they need access to our communications and our core systems and they do that through their mobile devices. So we invest to make sure that all our collateral, all our training material, just about everything can be accessed by mobile devices. The average age of our employees is 26 and there is an expectation in a workforce of that age that they won’t be chained to a desk, and they’re all very comfortable with the technology.

It’s fundamental to the way we do business, and we see clients moving in the same direction all the time.

RB – Your business is a very different one, Paul. What does it mean to you?

Paul McGrattan, Information Services & Technology Manager, Translink

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Richard Buckley, Editor, Business Eye (Chairman)

PM – Our business is all about people on the move and our vision is to be your first choice for travel in Northern Ireland. We’ve changed the way we do things internally to encompass mobile

Eye on Round Table

business, and we’ve extended the provision of free wi-fi on our services and into technology, like the real time tracking of buses and trains. Mobile technology also comes in right across our business, into areas like safety and track inspection.

So there’s been a big shift in how we do things. We have 80 million passenger journeys a year and to increase that we’ve got to make ticketing that bit smoother and that’s where technology comes in once again.

RB – Ann, yours is a very different kind of organisation. How do you harness technology?

AM – As a business, we have a very large database of all our members. We’ve invested in better ways to manage that, to mine the data and to get the most out of it, and mobile technology plays an important part. We use it to sell, we use it to support and we use it to engage with our members on a much more regular basis. I can use our app to find out about a particular member or member company at any time, and that’s a big advantage.

RB – Looking at business in Northern Ireland as a whole, has mobile technology changed things?

AM – I think it’s fair to say that some businesses are still a bit anxious about it and perhaps don’t know what’s possible. So we’re encouraging them to talk to the experts and to get the facts.

RB – From your perspective at BT, Paul, do you think that there are too many companies missing out?

PC – What we do at BT is the art of the possible. We’ve restructured ourselves to be able to work directly with as many customers as possible. We’ve engaged in a Trusted Adviser Programme over the past couple of years and we’ve been rolling that out. We’re about helping our customers against a background of changing technology, changing devices and changing business demands. Technology impacts on every aspect of today’s business. Recruitment is a good example. Talent is attracted to companies at the leading edge of technology. These people want to arrive at a company and be given a tablet and phone that will

give them full connectivity.....it’s as simple as that. Our specialists know where the leading edge is and how it will impact on our customers. To do that, we embed ourselves into our customers’ strategies and we deliver through the Trusted Adviser Programme.

RB – So it’s all about making it relevant?

PM – Technology drives change.

Your own business changes and your customers change so you’ve got to move. And if you’ve got to move, you really need the support of your technology partner. Take the Translink website for example.

Not too long ago, almost all of the hits came from desktops or laptops. Now three out of four hits come from mobile devices.

AM – I think there’s no doubt that desktops are dying a death. Our members expect to be able to receive and open anything we send out on their mobile devices.

AT – We’ve seen a move towards employees being able to bring their own devices. There can be cost savings in that for companies but

it does bring challenges around security and network access, but that’s the level of flexibility that people are demanding. We might prefer a certain PC, but a new hire might want to work with an Apple Mac. You need to be able to be flexible and that flexibility will attract talent. Technology is vital for us too on the training front, We have a capital markets training programme and we might have 1,000 people continuously involved in professional development... and they might want to study or take exams when they’re on a train in Singapore or on a bus in New York. The expectation is that we’re a technology company so we will have the best technology.

And the expectation comes from both employees and customers in the financial markets.

RB – What about slower adopters? Is cost an issue for some of these companies?

PC – Of course, cost is an issue for every business. But is it a barrier to this? I don’t think so. The return on investment is crucial. It used to be that a business owner would look out of his office, see 20 people working and be reassured. Today’s

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Eye on Round Table

staff turnover, care needs to be taken around who has access to what data. The risks are obvious.

RB – Have the risks lessened to any degree?

business owners don’t think that way. They don’t need to see people....but they do need to be in touch with them. That’s today’s communications. The fundamentals are simple enough. Whether you’re a sole trader or big business, access to your staff, access to your market and your market’s access to you, is vital. If you don’t embrace technology, you’re on the back foot.

AM – But is everyone not like that? I do most of my follow-ups and emails at 9.30pm or 10pm.

We do things differently now.

AT – We have clients who have staff sitting in some very expensive real estate in some of the world’s big financial centres who are realising that they don’t need to do that. They’re starting to let leases go on some buildings.

They realise that the business can be done remotely. 9 to 5 is long gone....and lives are changing.

PC – BT looks at the whole area of enterprise mobility under five headings – Devices... Apple, Galaxy, etc; Connectivity... the EE network and the coverage we can provide; Security... across the board; Policy,... how technology fits in with your HR and other policies and Apps.... that make business truly mobile.

PC – I saw a piece of research recently that showed that the amount of time spent online between getting up and getting to work was getting longer and longer.

From a personal perspective, the last thing I do at night before going to bed is to read my email. First thing in the morning, I’m back on it.

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PM – Cloud technology is a big contributor to what we can all achieve now. People don’t need desktops or servers any more.

They can download what they need wherever they need it.

RB – What about security? Is it a major issue for users?

PM - We’re a public sector organisation so data breach, data loss and data security are all crucial to us as a business.

AM – And it’s not just an external threat. For businesses with some

PM – They do tend to be more high profile nowadays. Take the recent case where Yahoo lost a lot of customer data, and their share price plummeted as a direct result. We have to know where our data is and protect it at all times.

PC – For us at BT, it’s critical.

We have to run a zero tolerance environment.

RB – How important is having one supplier across the technology piece? Maybe years ago it would have been very different.

AT – For us, having a strategic partner is very important. Only when a partner gets a deep understanding of your business can they contribute to it and improve it. We like to engage with trusted partners who have a reputation for delivering service.

If you consider the kind of clients we are supplying, there is an expectation that our supply chain is credible and well established.

AM – I suppose that’s why we’re saying that mobile technology is about more than just price. It’s about knowledge and relationships too.

PC – We can sell products day in, day out. But that’s not why I or any member of my team gets up in the morning. We have to know our customers’ business and we also have to know the technology that can help them.

And when we put together the right solution and see it working for them, that’s when we know we’ve done a good job. But we know that we’re also changing people’s working habits and their lives and that we’re getting people out of buildings and out in the field. We’re about providing solutions that will work in our customers’ organisations and we really do see technology transforming companies here in Northern Ireland.

Eye on Round Table

AT - Because we deploy people all over the world, we’re big users of web conferencing of voice over IP and other technologies.

They’re vital for us as a company.

Use of technology has even helped us to reduce our carbon footprint in line with environmental obligations these days.

PM - We don’t see BT as a supplier so much as a partner. They hear about our business challenges and they help us make IT proactive

rather than reactive. And that brings benefits to our customers as well.

RB – Paul, you must have some examples of companies who’ve transformed themselves on the back of mobile technology?

PC – I’ve come across many. There’s a small film production company that moved from England back to Derry, and they work with West Coast USA quicker and more effectively these days than they have ever done. Businesses just don’t need to bring people together in one place to view presentations or look at products any more... technology has the solutions and can change the entire modus operandi of many organisations. And there are more simple examples.

Take non-geo numbers... you can be a small business sitting in Newry and have a London phone number.

RB – And how do we stack up internationally? Is our access to technology right up there?

AT – To BT and Invest NI’s credit, what’s emerged here in Belfast, in recent years, is a mini capital markets hub. The infrastructure and the connectivity that we have really does set Northern Ireland apart and it’s a big consideration for large FDI projects.

RB – Is there anything that we would like to see improving?

PM – There are always coverage issues. Ideally, we want the same coverage in the centre of Belfast and out on a railway line in County Antrim. It might not be feasible, but it is what the end users want.

AM – For me, it’s about devices and the old problem of PC’s and Apple devices being able to talk to each other a lot more smoothly. It’s down to the big manufacturers, but it can be frustrating.

PC – BT have made a significant investment in acquiring EE. The acquisition of the UK’s fastest mobile network combined with the BT network means that we can provide our customers with the best in class from a mobile and fixed perspective. The coverage with EE is best in class in NI and as an example coverage on motorways is up to 98% and on A roads across the north is up to 95%.

RB – How often do you all look at the future piece?

AT – A lot of our innovation is driven by our clients. To gain any competitive advantage, we have to innovate and we have to deliver. We also have to capture data, understand what that data is telling us and then either direct someone to take action or automate the action itself. The scope is amazing. We operate in a space called Big Fast Data. It’s all

about speed, we’re talking about nano seconds. That’s the world in which we’re now operating.

PC – It’s a world that we know well and we’re here to help our customers. Behind our Trusted Advisers we have Enterprise Architects who know about the technology and the potential solutions. And those solutions are tailor-made, without gaps and end to end.

RB – Your organisation is a good example of a complex business, Paul.

PM – Yes, we have three distinct organisations and we have to operate a shared service for them.

And we have to do it within the framework of the public sector. It’s about connectivity and it’s about what people use that connectivity for. But there is so much coming down the pipeline... super connected cities, for example, to tie what we’re doing to the city council and other bodies.

RB – I think that we’re getting a clear picture. Northern Ireland organisations are working hard to make the best use of enterprise mobility and the technology is making a significant difference to their businesses and how they operate. The challenge for companies now is to continue to rise to the technology challenge.

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Eye on News

LAW FIRM HAS CYBER SECURITY LOCKED DOWN Top Belfast law firm Cleaver Fulton Rankin has become the first legal practice in the city to set up a specialist cyber risk unit aimed at tackling the growing scourge of online crime.

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ecent government research showed that seven out of ten large businesses were hit by a cyber-breach or attack in the last year, but yet only half of all firms have taken any recommended actions to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Even fewer, about a third had formal written cyber security policies and only 10% had an incident management plan in place. As a result, government is urging businesses to better protect

themselves from cyber criminals.

The ten-strong team at Cleaver Fulton Rankin will work with clients to not only manage the risks around cyber-attacks, but also help manage crises should they happen.

Director of IT and Finance at Cleaver Fulton Rankin, Patrick Fleming said, “We appreciate that cyber-attacks are very costly to a business and can do irreparable reputational damage. We don’t want any client to become yet

Keeping data locked down... Celebrating the launch of Cleaver Fulton’s Cyber Risk Unit, and their own high standards of cyber security are Directors Michael King and Patrick Fleming.

another statistic, so with our combined legal expertise and experience of working with accountants and insurers, we can take a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that clients receive the most comprehensive sound commercial advice on cyber issues, be that training and awareness of cyber risk; ensuring that technical security in contracts is sound; right through to loss and damage claims in the event of a cyber-attack.

The firm also takes its own advice

on managing cyber risk and has become the first law firm in Northern Ireland to be awarded a UK wide accreditation in recognition of its high standards of cyber security.

The IASME Governance Standard is recognised as the best cyber security standard for SMEs by the UK Government, and it based on international best practice, on how a firm deals with physical security, staff awareness as well as data backup.

Selective Travel Management Wins Multi Million Pound Contract Selective Travel Management has been awarded a multimillion pound Framework Agreement on a sole supplier basis to supply travel services to the Northern Ireland Public Sector.

Geraldine Toal, (left) MCIPS, Procurement Manager Central Procurement Directorate and colleague Sharon Smyth FCIPS LLM, Divisional Director Supplies Services, Central Procurement Directorate are pictured with Keith Graham, MD, Selective Travel Management at the announcement of the company’s recent multi-million pound Framework Agreement to supply travel services on a sole supplier basis to the Northern Ireland Public Sector.

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he clients include the Northern Ireland Civil Service Departments and Agencies, Health & Social Care, NI Colleges and the Education Authority.

The Framework Agreement, will see the Belfast-based company provide travel services for Government employees and representatives.

A dedicated team at Selective Travel Management will provide a booking and management service ensuring value for money for the Public Sector.

The Framework Agreement, which was awarded as a result of a Public Tender process is a significant business gain for Selective Travel Management and will result in the addition of new specialist posts during the implementation phases, taking its current work force to over 115.

Commenting on the win, Keith Graham Managing Director of Selective Travel Management said: “We are naturally delighted to have won such an important and prestigious contract, particularly given the level of competition and attention which the Tender process attracted.

“Selective Travel Management has steadily and swiftly grown from strong local roots to become one of the leading Travel Management Companies in the UK & Ireland marketplace and this latest win cements our reputation and professional standing still further.

“The company has a strong sense of direction, and a firm focus on businesses and organisations with complex travel requirements. We pride ourselves on providing a comprehensive understanding of their current and future travel requirements and on addressing their needs with outstanding skills and expertise, backed up by appropriate resources which include the latest tried-and tested technology.

This ethos helped us in recent years to open a relatively new niche marketplace with contracts secured with multiple UK Universities. This was rapidly followed with our appointment, and subsequent re-appointment, to a Higher Education Framework Agreement which serves the University travel marketplace and which has an estimated travel budget of up to £100 million.”

WE AUCTION EVERYTHING DESIGNER SHOES GOLD BULLION TRACTORS LIQUIDATIONS S LS PROPERTY PRESTIGEDISPO A DIAMONDS HGVS ASIAN GOLD PLANT SUPER CARS MACHINERY MOTORBIKES VANS BICYCLES BOATS TOOLS LAND CLASSIC CARS TRUCK S WATCHES HO LIDAY HOMESPLANES DESIGNER HANDBAGS Visit your nearest branch in Belfast or Portadown or view all auctions at www.wilsonsauctions.com

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Eye on Insurance

Lockton Belfast To Guard The Guardians With New Law-Focused Insurance Offering Internationally renowned insurance broker Lockton is set to cement their position as Northern Ireland’s leading commercial and business broker with their recent launch of an exclusive product to meet the needs of solicitors.

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he firm, which employs 70 staff in their Belfast team, is addressing a gap in the market, which has seen solicitors and law firms across Northern Ireland miss out on much-needed, cost-effective general insurance solutions.

The product, Lockton Office Guardian, has been available in England Wales and has already been chosen by a number of the UK’s Top 50 Law firms.

Developed in conjunction with M S Amlin the bespoke office insurance package includes practical cover extensions to effectively deal with the business risks solicitors, law firms, and professional services companies face on a daily basis.

Part of the world’s largest privately owned, independent insurance brokerage firm, Lockton Belfast sees Northern Ireland as a high-potential market and will seek to replicate the success of the product’s uptake in the UK following a successful roll-out locally.

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Roisin McCarthy, Vice President & Commercial Manager and Tony Murray, Placement Broker & Vice President, Lockton Belfast.

“We’ve worked with existing clients in this sector to understand the general business risks a law firm faces and we have developed a policy specifically designed with the requirements of solicitor practices in mind. We understand how important your premises and assets are to the smooth running of a firm and we have produced a policy wording that offers exceptional cover,” said Roisin McCarthy,

Lockton Belfast Commercial Manager.

“Peace of mind is further guaranteed by the fact we have eliminated cumbersome warranties and conditions ensuring the policy terms are clear and concise, as well as delivering cost-effective and exceptionally strong cover.”

In contrast to many office insurance products the Office Guardian wording has been developed specifically for the legal sector. For instance, under the Business Interruption section any loss of revenue can be claimed on the basis of Billable Hours and this cover also benefits from an unlimited indemnity period.

“Theft of equipment or money and damage to buildings through fire, flood or other disasters could severely damage a practice’s ability to function and serve its clients. While we can’t prevent these events from happening, with Lockton Office Guardian law firms can rest assured that they have the insurance in place to speed up the recovery process, get a firm back in operation as quickly as possible and provide compensation for lost revenue in a meaningful and transparent way” added Roisin.

The Office Guardian product has already had an early impact in Northern

Ireland. Pat Eastwood, Partner, Murphy and O’Rawe commented, “We decided to go with the Office Guardian product from Lockton and M S Amlin as it was bespoke to the particular office insurance requirements of a legal firm and also competitively priced. We value the effort the Lockton team has taken in understanding our business.”

Since 2006, Lockton Belfast has been part of the global Lockton brand, the world’s largest, privately owned insurance brokerage firm founded

by Jack Lockton 50 years ago.

The Belfast office has been trading for over 25 years and has a reputation for first class service and exceptional associates.

Lockton provides client servicing, broking, claims management and risk management from its Belfast office, which employs more than 70 staff having doubled its workforce over the last five years.

For more information on Lockton’s Office Guardian product and to learn how it could impact your business cover, visit www.lockton.com or contact Roisin McCarthy on 02890 348427.

UTV Live

Weekdays 6pm

Eye on Property

A Place In The Sun...

With A Difference If you’re going to invest in a place in the sun, why not make it one of the best?

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Spanish-based developer with strong Northern Ireland connections has just put his latest creation close to the exclusive Spanish resort of Marbella on the market at a cool €3.5 million.

But the property is a distinct cut above the rest. Set on a 1,400 sq. metre plot with views over Los Naranjos golf course in the hills above Marbella, it’s a spacious 691 sq.metre villa built to an exacting specification that includes underfloor heating and an ultra-efficient cooling system... controlled in tandem by an in-house computer system.

The energy efficient villa has four large bedrooms, all with en suite bathrooms, and an office (or fifth bedroom), also with its own bathroom. There’s also a fully fitted Gaggenau kitchen and a dedicated laundry/utility room.

At basement level, there’s a full three-car garage and a fully-fitted home cinema with surround sound system. There’s an elevator for those with walking difficulties... or those who can’t be bothered walking, and the upstairs terrace includes a jacuzzi.

Getting down to the finer details, all of the windows are aluminium and made from Climalite glass, the interior doors are 150 kgs solid wood from floor to ceiling, and the house features Bandalux automatic blinds throughout.

And there’s a full SONOS sound system integrated in every room throughout the house, and controlled by mobile phone, as well as large walkin wardrobes/closets and illuminated Krion skirting boards throughout.

Interested? In the first instance, please contact Richard Buckley – richard@businesseye.co.uk

Watch the video tour here... https://vimeo.com/193969884

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Eye on Property

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Eye on News

Cunningham Coates Host Charity Trustee Event

Pictured from left to right: Annabel Montgomery, Partner, Cunningham Coates and Sarah Burrows, Head of Charities, Cleaver Fulton Rankin.

Over 120 guests recently packed into the Spires Conference Centre in Belfast City Centre to hear about the key aspects which the trustees of charities need to be aware of.

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ith specific legislation in place to govern how Charities conduct their business affairs, the training event organized by Cunningham Coates provided a welcome insight into the key responsibilities of Charity Trustees.

With updates on Corporate Governance, Financial Reporting and Investment Considerations for Charities provided

by Cleaver Fulton Rankin and Smith &

Williamson Investment Management, attendees left the event armed with practical knowledge allowing them to continue to fulfil their responsibilities as a trustee with confidence.

Mr. John Larkin, Q.C., Attorney General for Northern Ireland, commented “I commend those attending and the organisers, for their commitment to good stewardship in the important field of charitable activity.”

Pictured from left to right: Annabel Montgomery, Partner, Cunningham Coates; Jonathan Cunningham, Senior Office Partner, Cunningham Coates and Sarah Burrows, Head of Charities, Cleaver Fulton Rankin.

Stellar Line-Up Announced For No. 10 Vasiliki Petrou, Executive Vice President of Prestige Brands at Unilever, has been announced as the keynote speaker at the 10th IoD Women’s Leadership Conference.

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ponsored by leading law firm Arthur Cox, the Women’s Leadership Conference will focus on ‘the Power of Ten’ as the IoD celebrates the 10th anniversary of the event which attracts close to 400 business women and men each year.

As a visionary of future growth opportunities and the featured speaker at the event, which will take place in Titanic Belfast on 10th March 2017, Vasiliki will share with delegates her experience of managing complex networks of global brands and teams, of forecasting trends and of the skills required to bring big ideas and brands to life.

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Speaking ahead of the Conference, Vasiliki said: “I am honoured to be speaking at the IoD’s 10th annual Women’s Leadership Conference.

“Highlighting and celebrating the knowledge, skillset and influence female business leaders have at present is hugely important to inspire future generations. This type of event facilitates not only that, but also empowers female leaders to push on and enjoy even more success.

“I hope delegates will enjoy hearing the experiences and challenges I have faced in my own career, some of which can hopefully be applied

to their own working lives.”

Prior to joining Unilever, which last year acquired REN Skincare, Kate Somerville Skincare, Dermalogica and Murad, Vasiliki had more than 16 years’ experience at Procter & Gamble, where she was most recently responsible for Max Factor cosmetics.

Joining her at the Conference will be Louise Guido, Chief Executive Officer of ChangeCorp, a social enterprise that provides content solutions for mobile technology in emerging markets. Louise’s view of women in leadership roles is to just go for it – she has said “I always felt that since I couldn’t fall off the

floor, I might as well try everything and throw spaghetti at the wall.”

Throughout the day delegates will take part in practical learning sessions, roundtable discussions and have numerous opportunities to network with business men and women from a wide range of industries.

For more information and to book a place at the Conference, visit iodni.com. The event is open to non-IoD members.

Thursday 2 March Friday 3 March 2017 Re-energise body, mind and soul, in a luxurious, two day all-inclusive, fun filled escape, with yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. (Wholesome food and cookery demonstration included.)

Exclusive location

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Eye on Finance

Using Your Assets New government scheme paves way for continued growth in asset based lending.

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s finance available through ‘asset based lending’ jumps to £4.3 billion, CEO of Capitalflow Commercial Finance, Harry Parkinson explains why this type of funding solution is becoming ever more relevant for SMEs and a mainstay of the business finance market The amount of finance available under ‘asset based lending’ to UK businesses has reached a record high of £4.3bn, up 22 per cent in the past year, according to research released in December by industry trade body, the Asset Based Finance Association.

There are several factors responsible for this growth in appetite for asset based lending. The most obvious is the simple fact that, despite reassuring messages from banks, businesses continue to suffer from a lack of finance.

The British Business Bank estimates that 100,000 businesses have their application for debt rejected each year, representing a possible funding gap in the UK of £4 billion. This funding gap, whilst shocking, is nothing new and has been compounded in recent months by the ongoing economic uncertainty around Brexit.

The gap has also meant that over the last number of years an increasing number of businesses are recognising asset based lending as a credible source of funding.

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Another, perhaps lesser known yet highly significant, development affecting the recent uptake of asset based lending is the introduction of the government Bank Referral Scheme.

Launched in November 2016, the new scheme is already proving instrumental in helping UK small businesses source funding more easily. In a nutshell it requires banks – nine of the UK’s biggest banks - to offer small businesses they have rejected for finance the opportunity to have details of their funding request shared with designated finance platforms.

Under such a policy a greater number of businesses will be encouraged to investigate so-called ‘alternative’ - although I would argue they are now firmly ‘mainstream’ - sources of capital and as a result secure finance through products such as asset based lending and invoice finance.

This is the education piece that those in working in my sector have been calling on for a long time. Businesses being tuned into opportunities to diversify their sources of finance away from more traditional bank loans and overdraft facilities can only be a positive step forward for our economy.

The government scheme aims to help the 25 per cent of small business loan applicants who are initially declined by the banks. Going back to my point about education, sadly many of these businesses cancel their growth plans rather than explore alternative options that may be more suitable. But having been declined for a bank loan does not mean a business is not fundable.

Asset based lending is not new.

Essentially it allows businesses to borrow against a range of assets they already own, including inventory, property, machinery and intellectual property.

It offers the major advantage of flexibility, enabling companies to meet specific needs. It has been used by businesses for expansion, refinancing, acquisitions, management buyouts and management buy-ins.

There’s a perception that asset based lending is only suited to larger business but in fact businesses of all sizes are realising the opportunities in leveraging assets that can provide a continued source of working capital. Crucially we look at the potential behind a business, not just its current financial situation when making a decision to lend, and that’s an approach you’ll rarely see the big banks take.

The ABFA says the amount of lending made available against machinery, unsold stock, and similar hard assets has increased significantly in the last five years, rising 71% from £2.5 billion in 2011. Now, from the £4.3 billion currently available, businesses have drawn down £1.2 billion in new finance.

There is clearly a significant amount of capacity for even more asset based lending. My advice to businesses, large and small, is to fully explore the range of funding options available to you – there is business beyond the banks!

To find out more about Capitalflow Commercial Finance and its £300m fund for businesses across Ireland please call 028 7187 9245 or visit www.capitalflow.ie

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Eye on Innovation

From Donaghadee to Dubai...

NI Firm Provides The Streetscapes Have you ever noticed just how many benches, street lights, bollards and bins you pass on your daily commute to the office?

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o? Well that’s not surprising but it is these everyday non descript items of functional street furniture that are currently helping one local company to become leaders in the local and global market place.

Street furniture has been around since Roman Times when mile markers were invented. It has generally lacked creativity, design and innovation preferring to remain plain and functional. But there has been a shift in the need and perception of the provision of street furniture in recent years with planners, local government, businesses and retailers now realising the importance of creating

environmentally pleasing and safe public areas and spaces.

Based in Newtownabbey and founded in 2012 by Alan and Caroline Lowry, Environmental Street Furniture (ESF) designs and supplies a huge selection of exterior street furniture products globally, including custom bespoke products for the experience attraction industry. It has been this dynamic and exciting expansion into theme park attractions supplies that has elevated the company and its products to another level.

Now exporting to over twenty countries including the Middle East, USA and Australia, ESF has seen significant growth in terms of the products it supplies to an international market. Winning the Business Eye First Trust Small Business Award for Exporter of the Year 2016 is testament to how the company has successfully

IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor theme park in Dubai.

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Alan Lowry, managing director ESF.

developed from servicing the local market with street furniture to diversifying its products.

Over the past 12 months ESF has seen significant growth at both home and abroad with the completion of a range of projects from bespoke bicycle parking for school pupils at a Donaghadee primary school to prestigious contracts with the Royal National Theatre, London, street improvements in Clonakilty, County Cork and providing bespoke products for some of the biggest theme parks in the world.

So why is street furniture so important? Well designed and innovative furniture transforms the urban landscape and it can also serve a deeper function than its apparent one. The newest addition to ESF’s product range is its innovative mobile phone charging stations and benches which are multifunctional in that as well as being a park bench, the user can also charge their phone through the solar powered internal batteries. Due to be installed in the grounds of Belfast City Hall in January, ESF is confident that this new product will be a welcome addition for members of the public who will benefit from the free charging facility.

Alan Lowry, Managing Director at ESF commented; “We are excited as to what 2017 holds for the company. It is key for us to

always be at the forefront of new products and product development.

In addition to the mobile street chargers, we are also able to offer clients a range of solar powered products such as illuminated litter bins using LED lighting and solar LED wayfinding lighting.

“Targeting the new market of theme park attractions has been a new challenge and we are keen to continue in this sector whilst also working locally and nationally with businesses, local authorities and key suppliers. Our aim is to provide better designed street furniture which will help create a strong sense of individuality at street level and integration into the urban environment. We have really enjoyed being involved in recent projects such as the £250million Dyson factory headquarters expansion in Malmesbury and also closer to home, providing bespoke products for the new award winning £25million Ballymena Health and Care Centre which is the largest facility of its kind in Northern Ireland.”

Next on the agenda for ESF is exhibiting at the Dubai DEAL 2017 tradeshow for the theme park and amusement industries at the end of March. The company will have the opportunity to showcase its range of products directly to trade at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

By continuing to diversify, the future is certainly bright for ESF.

Eye on Hospitality

HOSPITALITY...

A BOOM TIME FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Northern Ireland is enjoying an unprecented boom in its hospitality sector, despite the political gloom, but thanks in part to the knock-on effect of Brexit.

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hat’s the view of Janice Gault, the experienced Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, the umbrella body for the region’s places to stay.

In common with many others, she’s been warning for years of a shortage of hotel beds in Belfast and Northern Ireland. It’s a problem which is being addressed thanks for a current spate of concerted investment in hotels here.

“In 2016, there were only two key hotel openings – Bill Wolsey’s Bullitt in the centre of Belfast and Bishop’s Gate in L/Derry,” says Janice. “But, in 2017 and 2018, we have a lot more to look forward do.”

In Belfast alone, construction is underway at the new Hastings Hotel Group Grand Central (the former Windsor House office tower block), in nearby Brunswick Street at the site of a new city centre Maldron Hotel, a Donegall Quay where a Marriott-owned property is being built, and on Great Victoria Street, where Andras House is contructing a new Hampton by Hilton hotel.

Combined with the hotel planned for the former Harland & Wolff Drawing Office at Titanic Quarter, that means a total of well over 1,000 bedrooms to add the city’s growing total.

And there are other proposed hotels. At Bedford Street, for example, where the Hill Brothers have started work on a boutique hotel at the old Scottish Mutual building. And at both Tomb Street and Bank Place, where two further new hotel properties are planned.

“The significant increase in tourism numbers is the big factor, of course, but there are others,” says Janice Gault. “The new Belfast Waterfront facility is definitely a game changer. And, as things stand with the euro, the Republic of Ireland is becoming less attractive while we’re becoming more attractive.

“But we need to keep up the pace of development. It’s vital that we’re able to cope with further increases in visitor numbers. And it’s also important that we work to encourage our visitors to stay with us for longer. This is still a market in its infancy, and it’s definitely a short-stay market as things stand.”

“ The significant increase in tourism numbers is the big factor, of course, but there are others. The new Belfast Waterfront facility is definitely a game changer. And, as things stand with the euro, the Republic of Ireland is becoming less attractive while we’re becoming more attractive.”

The NI Hotels Federation chief goes on to say that further streamlining of the cumbersome planning system would help smooth the way for more hotel development, and she’s also quick to address one of the key problems for the industry – that of staff recruitment.

“Recruitment has been a problem in this industry for quite a while,” she says. “The image of the business has been improved, but it’s still difficult to persuade young people to consider a career in hotel service.

“The net result of that, of course, is that we end up relying heavily on migrant workers, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed as an industry that Brexit doesn’t end up making that more difficult for all of us.”

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Eye on Telecommunications

Jonathan Rose, Ofcom’s Northern Ireland Director.

Broadband In Northern Ireland...

We’re Not There Yet Faster internet speeds are now a must for homes and businesses but availability in rural areas especially remains patchy.

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he number of Northern Ireland properties unable to get a decent broadband connection has fallen by more than 40,000 over the past year, new research by Ofcom has found.

However, some 63,000 homes and offices – or 8% of properties – remain unable to sign up for broadband speeds over 10 Mbit/s, the speed required to meet a typical household’s digital needs.

The findings are part of Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2016 report – the regulator’s annual state of the nation look at the UK’s telecoms networks.

The quality and reach of fixed broadband and mobile infrastructure in Northern Ireland has improved considerably over the last few years, says Ofcom.

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Superfast broadband, capable of delivering download speeds of 30 Mbit/s or more, is now available to more than 80% of homes and small businesses and continuing investment by industry and government will ensure coverage increases further over the next few years.

There have also been notable improvements in coverage or mobile voice and data services. 4G coverage from all four operators now extends to 60% of the Northern Ireland landmass, compared to just 17% in 2015.

However, too many people and businesses are still struggling for a good service, with the problem most pronounced in rural areas.

Here, one in four premises are unable to sign up for broadband speeds over 10 Mbit/s, often because they are situated a long way from the telephone exchange or local street cabinet.

Help is on its way however,

says Ofcom Northern Ireland Director Jonathan Rose.

“We’re challenging mobile operators to go beyond built-up areas, and provide coverage across the UK’s countryside and transport networks,” he says.

“We are also providing technical advice to support the UK Government’s plans, announced in 2015, for universal, decent broadband.

“The universal service would ensure every home and small business in the country has the right to a decent, affordable broadband connection of 10 Mbit/s or above by the end of the current parliament.”

While highlighting the plight of the have nots, Ofcom is also keen to stress the progress that has already been made in spreading faster broadband services.

Superfast broadband is now available to eight in ten Northern Ireland premises (83%), up from 77% a year earlier, while

the average download speed has jumped by 21%, from 28 Mbit/s to 34 Mbit/s.

This reflects not only better coverage, but also people choosing to pay for faster broadband packages. Around a third of Northern Ireland homes (34%, or 254,000) have now chosen to take up superfast broadband, up from 29% a year earlier.

“We’re seeing good progress, but there is a long way to go,” says Jonathan Rose.

“Ofcom recognises access to high quality fixed-line and mobile communications services are increasingly vital for consumers and businesses, and we want everyone to benefit from better coverage “We will keep working with Government and industry to ensure that Northern Ireland has the mobile and broadband networks it needs for the coming years.”

Eye on Events

MOUNT CHARLES OPENS NEW BELFAST HEADQUARTERS Outsourced services group Mount Charles has unveiled its new headquarters at Annon House, Ormeau Road, Belfast.

(1)

The extensively refurbished building was officially opened recently by former First Minister Arlene Foster and former Junior Minister Megan Fearon.

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(4)

(7)

(3)

(5)

(6)

(8)

(1) Cathal Geoghegan, Mount Charles, Junior Minister Megan Fearon MLA, First Minister Arlene Foster MLA and Trevor Annon, Mount Charles. (2) The Mount Charles senior team: Leann Duffy, Cathal Geoghegan, Margaret Allen, Jonathan McKinlay, Trevor Annon, Ian Todd and Julie Brown. (3) Trevor Annon, Mount Charles, Kirsty McManus, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, Cathal Geoghegan, Managing Director Mount Charles and Adrienne McGill, NI Chamber of Commerce. (4) Lewis McCallan, Danske Bank, Richard Robinson, Danske Bank and Trevor Annon, Mount Charles. (5) Junior Minister Megan Fearon MLA, Trevor Annon, Mount Charles and First Minister Arlene Foster MLA. (6) Margaret Allen, Mount Charles, Graham Keddie, Belfast International Airport and Brian Carlin, Belfast International Airport. (7) Cathal Geoghegan, Mount Charles, First Minister Arlene Foster MLA, Junior Minister Megan Fearon MLA, Trevor Annon, Mount Charles. (8) Damian Barrett, Henderson Foodservice, Caitriona Lennox, Mount Charles, Brian Carlin, Belfast International Airport and Glenn Roberts, Deloitte.

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Eye on Human Resources

Brona Cathcart...

Bringing Global Experience back to Northern Ireland at MCS MCS Group was founded with a view to improving standards and setting a new benchmark for quality within the Northern Ireland recruitment industry.

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here are a few key elements that make this vision a reality: It starts with a commitment to deep specialisation in the company’s core disciplines; IT & Digital, Technical & Engineering and Professional Services. MCS has built its expertise and market knowledge through many years spent working in partnership with clients which range from locally owned start-ups and SMEs to major global organisations.

MCS Group combines the focus on specialisation and knowledge with great people. MCS Group professional recruiters are exactly that, professionals, all with experience gained in industry. They apply their deep knowledge of their industries and markets with an ethical and energetic approach geared towards delivering results, consistently.

Tell us about yourself I completed my Masters in Management at the University of Glasgow and returned to Belfast where I worked with Barry Smyth for a year doing Legal recruitment.

After a successful year, I was relocated to another part of the business in Dubai.

A challenging but highly rewarding project, it gave me the confidence and drive to push myself into new avenues, from there I ended up moving into the world of HR and completed my CIPD. Before joining MCS I was Group Head of HR for two fast growing companies within the Emirates Group, the exposure of working within a global organisation and the learnings has been amazing.

Recruiting and retaining the best talent was always a core focus throughout my career, so my return to Belfast and into recruitment to support local companies and their growth made sense.

Brona Cathcart, recently appointed as Head of Professional Services at MCS Group discusses her background and what it is like to work for MCS Group.

What brought you back to NI? After leaving Dubai I moved to London and enjoyed travelling home much more frequently. With every visit, I noticed how much Northern Ireland was changing, Belfast was buzzing and the jobs landscape had changed quite dramatically, from a standard of living point of view it was time to go home. I started my potential job search by speaking to Barry in the Autumn and here I am! Joining MCS Group allows me to work across a wide range of industries keeping up to date with ongoing Talent and HR challenges.

Most enjoyable part of the job?

The team at MCS are brilliant, they are truly dedicated to their customers, both candidates and employers. After many years in HR, my biggest frustration was working with recruitment consultants who didn’t listen or ask enough questions. It makes me very proud when I hear the team consulting with our clients and understanding their needs. Probably the most enjoyable part though is hearing newer team members deliver great news for the first time. It’s a fast paced, competitive environment, plenty of variety, for me working in recruitment has always felt like home.

Can you describe a typical day at MCS? In short No, it is always different, but I make time each day for every team

What does the future hold for MCS? We have ambitious plans to grow further and despite all sorts of uncertainty we continue to see great possibilities

What is your role?

As Head of Professional Services at MCS Group, I manage and support a team of consultants who specialise in the recruitment of Accountancy, Financial Services, Sales and Marketing, HR and Legal roles. After years working at a senior level in HR I certainly understand the importance and value of finding and developing talent, so I enjoy getting to know a range of clients and supporting them to do the same.

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Brona Cathcart, Head of Professional Services Recruitment, MCS Group.

member to ensure that they are fully supported. Recruitment is an impactful job in the corporate world, its two-fold.

Firstly, you can change a candidate’s life by matching them to a fantastic job and career, secondly you can truly add value to a business and its success by a single great hire. I spend a lot of time advising clients beyond their recruitment requirements, coming from a highly competitive market in London I have good experience across Employer Brand Awareness and Talent Development. What I love about MCS is that as well as the day to day recruitment activities, all our consultants have outreach and CSR objectives, building relationships in their local communities, connecting and supporting young talent and supporting the NI skills programme is something we encourage all our teams to do.

in the market. In real terms, we have outgrown our existing premises so are on the move, seeking the space to double the business over the next 3-5 years as well as a new venture outside N.I. The MCS team are driven by the desire to be recognised as the best in our market, so will continue our focus on quality of our delivery across all our markets. Our business is built on core customer service values and we will continue to develop our client and candidate base of local and international players further, we have amazing clients with exciting plans all dependant on getting the best talent.

As the competition for jobs accelerates globally we need to showcase our amazing skills pool here in Northern Ireland, MCS will continue to play a major part in inward investment projects supporting the great work of Invest NI. Lastly MCS is about people, we are so proud of our team here and we want to be an employer of choice within the specialist recruitment sector offering great professional development for specialists who take a long-term view on career progression and want to grow in this exciting industry.

Brona Cathcart is the Head of Professional Services Recruitment at MCS Group, and can be contacted via email at b.cathcart@mcsgroup.jobs or on 02890235456 To find out more about MCS Group visit www.mcsgroup.jobs

Eye on News

A move on the horizon for KPMG Accountancy firm KPMG has just announced that its Northern Ireland operations will relocate in summer 2017 to the Soloist Building at Lanyon Place in Belfast.

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ohn Hansen, Partner in Charge of KPMG in Northern Ireland said “We are delighted to have secured 35,000 sq ft in this premium location. KPMG in Northern Ireland has experienced strong growth in 2016 and we are looking forward to further success in 2017 and beyond.

We have ambitious plans to grow our business in Northern Ireland as well as continue to provide a top quality service to our existing and new client base. This office move clearly states our intentions for growth.”

L-R: John Poole (Partner and Head of Audit), John Hansen (Partner in Charge), Johnny Hanna (Partner and Head of Tax), KPMG in Northern Ireland.

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Eye on Development

Deloitte Real Estate Crane Survey shows resurgence of development in Belfast

Belfast City Council’s Chief Executive Suzanne Wylie joins Deloitte Partner Simon Bedford to launch Deloitte’s first Belfast Crane Survey. The report, produced by Deloitte Real Estate, shows a total of 30 schemes under construction or recently completed in the city, with momentum being driven by the tourism and education sectors.

Construction in Belfast is at its highest level since 2008, with eleven development schemes completed in the city during 2016, according to a new report released today by Deloitte.

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he report, the first Belfast Crane Survey produced by Deloitte Real Estate, shows a total of 30 schemes under construction or recently completed in the city.

This includes four new educational facilities, seven new student accommodation projects, six office developments and eight new hotels.

Simon Bedford, partner in Deloitte’s Real Estate practice, said: “The report shows that Belfast is on an upward trajectory as a location for investment and development. The number of developments completed and breaking ground in Belfast during 2016 demonstrates real progress since the release of Belfast City Council’s City Centre Investment Framework in 2015.”

The renaissance in Belfast’s

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development is being led by the education and tourism sectors. Two new hotels were completed in 2016 with a further six hotel projects across the city currently under construction, set to deliver in excess of 1,000 new hotel rooms.

Ulster University’s move to a larger campus in Belfast will be – and has already been – a game changer, with a number of student housing schemes already being built. The report calculates that almost 2,500 student accommodation bed-spaces across seven major projects are currently being built in the city centre area. This is in addition to 413 bed-spaces that completed in 2016.

Queen’s University is also continuing its investment in new teaching facilities and supporting new student residential development in the city centre.

Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive of Belfast City Council, said: “Deloitte’s report comes at a great time of opportunity for Belfast. The report demonstrates that private sector developers and investors see the opportunities being created by a growth in tourism, new companies locating here, growth in our own business base and more people, including students, wanting to live in the city centre.

“Over the next five years, the City has, through its recently launched Belfast Agenda, set out more ambitious targets to create 15,000 new jobs, double tourism spend and encourage another £1.5bn of investment in more buildings and regeneration projects to meet demands. This surveys demonstrates that we have momentum that will be to the benefit of every part of Northern Ireland, not just Belfast. The model that works for all successful regions across the world is to develop a very strong city which helps to grow supply chains throughout the region, creates significantly more money in people’s pockets to spend and helps to pay for the

infrastructure and local developments needed across Northern Ireland.”

Retail and leisure investment is also healthy, with Deloitte noting that the business rate revaluation is leading to more store openings and new brands coming to the city, filling space in Ann Street, Castle Lane and Castle Court.

However, office and residential development activity was subdued and represents a near term challenge, although not one unique to Belfast.

The report said that 84 residential units were completed in the city centre in 2016, but none are scheduled to come to the market in 2017. Three office developments representing 209,000 sq ft were completed in 2016 and a further three schemes are under construction which will deliver a much needed 364,527 sq ft of office space into the market over 2017/18.

“Office development has proved difficult to finance in the market, which is unfortunate as the corporate demand for Grade-A office space is on the increase,” added Bedford. “It is also clear that city centre living has yet to really take off in Belfast, but growing student numbers will, we believe, drive this market forward before 2020.”

Bedford concluded: “Our first Belfast Crane Survey confirms that Belfast has much to look forward to. Preparation work is taking place on the construction of a new transport interchange at Great Victoria Street and the development of a cultural hub around York Street/ North Street. Reshaped plans for the Royal Exchange area are also moving forward. These plans will drive the next major moves for Belfast as a city.

It is also highly encouraging to note the direct investment being made by Belfast City Council in their city centre – most notably in 2016 through the joint acquisition of the historic former Belfast Telegraph building on York Street.

“Belfast’s popularity as a business and leisure destination continues to rise and this is having a direct impact on the local property and construction sector, which is attracting significant investment to meet demand. Belfast’s development pipeline is in good shape and we therefore expect to see even more cranes on the skyline in 2017 and 2018.”

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Eye on Business Leaders Forum

2017 The Lost Art of Prediction After what’s happened in the past year, it takes a brave man or woman to predict what challenges (or opportunities) might face business in Northern Ireland over the coming year.

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ut at least it’s not boring.

Between Brexit, the first 100 days of the 45th US President, the collapse of the Stormont administration, a looming Assembly election and quite a bit more besides, one thing is for sure.... we’re not without a challenge or two.

Consider the potential scenarios, problems and (just maybe) opportunities.....

Brexit – Theresa May (is she the most arrogant Tory Prime Minister since Mrs. T?) is giving up her Brexit plans slowly and carefully.

Despite having been a committed Remainer last summer, she seems determined to respect the will of the electorate and push Brexit through sooner rather than later.

But it’s easier said than done. And, on the thorny question of the Irish

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border, she’s playing her cards very close to her chest. Even Enda Kenny, last stop on a recent whistlestop tour that included Donald Trump, President Erdogan of Turkey and Nicola Sturgeon (what company?), failed to get much change out of the inscrutable Mrs. May. Businesses can only be wary, keep watching and try to prepare as best they can. For those on the border or whose products cross it on a daily basis, it’s a challenge of bigger proportions than for the rest of us.

But no one is panicking. We’re used to getting on with it.

Stormont – Remember Stormont?

The big white house on the hill where the DUP and Sinn Fein used to slug it out/hold hands (delete as appropriate). On the local political front, business here

is even less excited. We’ve been there and we’ve done that after all.

Our politicians face one immediate challenge. It’s not anger over the RHI scandal....it’s apathy. Good old-fashioned voter apathy.

What we need is a result....any result. But a result that gives the politicians a fighting chance (and we choose our words carefully) of patching together a deal and a return to some form of working administration at Stormont.

We threw it all away because a few politicians couldn’t ignore Stephen Nolan. Now let’s try to get it back. It’s important, you know....

But that’s just our random opinions.

More importantly, Business Eye managed to persuade a brave few from our very own business community to offer up their views......

Eye on Business Leaders Forum

What are the opportunities and threats facing businesses in NI as we move into 2017?

Darren McDowell Optimism was the key take away word from the various contributors to this article last year. What a difference a year makes! Another election looms for the Assembly, the Brexit vote, and Donald Trump entering the Whitehouse. In the backdrop of this wider uncertainty at Harbinson Mulholland we maintain a sense of optimism. Ulster University conducted some research on our behalf in March of last year that produced a list of the top 100 most profitable indigenous companies in Northern Ireland. These home grown businesses provide over 52,000 jobs and as a result are a significant contributor to our local private sector. The research also revealed that over 70% of the businesses were family owned or controlled. It is no great surprise to discover that the family business model is such an effective way of engaging with the market.

Partner at Harbinson Mulholland

Honesty, integrity and service are often hallmarks of a family business, in turn customers and staff respond accordingly to the benefit of both the business and the wider communities in which they operate. Through our work in establishing the NI Family Business Forum we have run a series of events that seek to get alongside and support this critical sector of both our own client base and the wider local economy. Our interactions to date reflect that continued sense of optimism, to quote a business owner from an event I attended recently, despite all of this uncertainty “we will simply get on with it�. Perhaps one lesson from 2016 is to question the reliability of statistical opinion polls, so with that in mind I am inclined to listen to the views of that family business owner and maintain a sense of optimism in the face of the uncertainty that surrounds us all.

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Eye on Business Leaders Forum

Kevin Kingston In Northern Ireland we find ourselves in what is perhaps a more uncertain environment than we have been in for some time; but the worst thing that we as a business community could do is to stifle our plans for progress and growth. Business people should instead be thinking strategically and working on plans for the medium term.

Thinking about the future is of course difficult.

It is not always possible to know what the best market for your company will be in three years’ time. But it is the people that invest in their businesses, and continue to plan through the shortterm headwinds, who will ultimately succeed.

In practice, that means focusing on creating innovative solutions for your customers; working hard to improve your competitiveness; building talented teams; and responding to

Laura Jackson Uncertainty may give cause for concern, but resilience and risk-appetite will power local firms in the year ahead, says Laura Jackson.

There is no doubt that the year ahead promises the most profound period of change for a generation.

While uncertainty is unhelpful for business, we can’t lose sight of the fact that opportunities are emerging in new markets and Northern Ireland firms have advantages that we can play to.

If there’s one thing that typifies local companies – and entrepreneurs in particular – it is their resilience. Businesses here, perhaps more so than other UK regions, have become used to dealing with difficult circumstances and political uncertainties.

We have developed a large number of small and medium companies with a healthy risk appetite and a nimbleness that enables them to

opportunities in an agile manner. Those will always be the right things for a business to do.

It is also important to remember what a resilient bunch we are here in Northern Ireland. Our business people have for many years, through much tougher times, got on with business and succeeded in spite of what was happening around them.

I am not naïve about the unique challenges of 2017, but there are many reasons for us to take heart and be encouraged about the future, not least the ability of Northern Ireland business people to overcome adversity.

It is a mistake to put everything on hold and wait for clarity that might never come. I would prefer to see people preparing for the future by investing in the fundamentals that will make their business stronger, whatever the year ahead may bring.

Partner, BDO Northern Ireland seek out new opportunities, quickly adapt to new market demands and negotiate turbulence.

Like every year, the big winners will be those companies that can adjust quickly and effectively to market shifts, take smart risks and broaden their horizons. Many sectors, including some that are perhaps not traditionally export-driven, are already carving their niche in new markets where quality, added value and currency fluctuations are providing clear advantages.

Political and market stability would be welcome, but demand for NI products and services remains strong, deals are still there to be done and businesses are continuing to innovate. The response to change, rather than change itself, will define the year head and Northern Ireland has what it takes to surprise a lot of people.

Des Moore

Head of First Trust Bank

While 2016 was dominated by a series of seismic political and economic shocks locally and internationally – the economic jobs data for Northern Ireland was still very positive, showing growth of 3.3 per cent in the 12 months to September 2016 - well ahead of the UK average of just 1.3 per cent over the same period. This growth was spread across a wide range of sectors including manufacturing, hospitality and agri-food, which suggests a high degree of economic resilience that should stand us in good stead in 2017. The economic forecast is for Northern Ireland to avoid recession in 2017 as consumers continue to provide support for economic growth. Furthermore, a strong performance from the tourism sector, favourable export conditions and increased retail spending, driven by the depreciation in Sterling, should partially offset any slowdown in business investment.

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Danske Bank

With uncertain and challenging times ahead however, the key issue for both businesses and policy makers is Northern Ireland’s readiness to navigate the unchartered waters that will be influenced by Brexit negotiations and a new US administration.

We can expect significant change over the next few years and the business environment could be subject to increased volatility until the new terms of trade with the EU and the rest of the world are agreed.

While we will just have to wait to see how these factors impact us, they are largely outside our control.

In the meantime, it is vital to have an Executive and an agreed Programme for Government which is focused on addressing the long-standing economic challenges for Northern Ireland. Whether that is low productivity, non-student inactivity rates, or the need for improved skills - this remains critical to our global competitiveness inside or outside the EU.

Eye on Business Leaders Forum

Monye Anyadike Danes QC Commercial Barrister, Bar of Northern Ireland “Businesses always operate under a degree of uncertainty. However, this year NI businesses are faced with acute uncertainty from 2 sources: the elections scheduled for 2 March and the triggering of article 50 of the EU Treaty proposed for later that month.

It is likely that our local elections with be emotive and bruising and the aftermath is difficult to predict.

There is a possibility that devolution will not be restored in its current form but direct rule gives no guarantees for NI businesses either. The implications of the Supreme Court judgment on article 50 that is to be delivered on 24 January are also unknown.

The Prime Minister has presented her 12 point plan for Brexit but it remains unclear where

John Hansen

Northern Ireland features in that plan or within the negotiations. A real risk for NI businesses must be that the UK’s position in the Brexit negotiations neglects the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland whilst it remains distracted by its internal politics. Furthermore, uncertainty over the UK’s Brexit negotiations is making currencies particularly prone to fluctuation and this makes it difficult for NI businesses to plan effectively.

It is hard to see the ‘upside’ to these challenges before the end of 2017. Although if the pound remains low that could help Northern Ireland’s tourism industry, a sector we are keen to develop. There is also a positive outlook for professionals, as never have their clients required quite so much advice on so many issues.”

Partner In Charge, KPMG Belfast

2016 was a challenging year for a host of reasons. For Northern Ireland, the start of 2017 has seen political and economic issues which are having significant implications. Brexit and the eventual outcome for Northern Ireland is one of the most obvious issues and whatever form of Brexit we end up with, the business community will be anxious to maintain easy access to both the Republic of Ireland and the rest of the EU marketplace. Simply put, any barriers to trade do not augur well for doing business or attracting business through foreign direct investment. It is therefore important that any UK agreement with the EU has as strong an NI input as possible.

As we await the outcome of the Assembly elections, these challenges are particularly acute.

Despite these challenges, Northern Ireland remains a great place to do business. We are cost competitive, have attractive personal tax rates and a highly skilled workforce. We also have an education system that ranks amongst the best in Europe – for example Northern Ireland has the highest-achieving primary school pupils in Europe in major international tests in maths.

The business community here is resilient, has overcome many issues and is adaptable and tenacious in pursuing business opportunities.

That will continue whatever 2017 brings.

Mark Thompson The current political instability at Stormont and the process around the UK’s exit from the EU represent challenges for our business community in 2017.

Uncertainty around the future of the Executive, the invocation of Article 50 and what that will actually mean for Northern Ireland will see local firms having to remain alert and responsive to both opportunities and challenges as they arise.

From a legal perspective, many of the changes arising from Brexit may start to emerge throughout the year and could affect a range of areas, including regulated finance, energy, procurement, employment law and many others. We are currently advising clients across a variety of sectors on the steps that they can take now to prepare themselves for any legislation changes and business complications that they might face post-Brexit, particularly in the event that we see a divergence from European practices emerge in our own economy.

For exporters, a further depreciation in sterling amidst continued uncertainty could see them benefit from an improvement in their price

Head of Belfast Office, A&L Goodbody

competitiveness in the short term. However, in 2017 businesses should continue to focus on deepening and diversifying their export base through innovation and R&D, which will be paramount when currency driven benefits are corrected. There must be a strong focus on improving Northern Ireland’s global competitiveness if we are to continue attracting investment into the region.

Having come into 2017 with a strong pipeline of local and international investment activity, at A&L Goodbody we are ready to deal with both the opportunities and difficulties that may lie ahead. In March this year, a number of partners from the firm will form part of a private/public sector delegation travelling to MIPIM, the world’s largest international commercial property investment conference. This group of business leaders will market Belfast and Northern Ireland as a highly competitive place in which to live, work and invest. Initiatives like this will play an important role in contributing to sustainable economic growth in Northern Ireland not only in the year ahead, but in the longer term.

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Eye on Business Leaders Forum

Mark Regan

CEO - Kingsbridge Private Hospital

Workplace health is a key factor in the productivity and profitability of every business but all too often it is overlooked until the employee calls in sick. NHS waiting lists for many conditions in Northern Ireland are now approaching a 2-3 years delay from GP to surgery. The impact of the delays are going to not only affect the employee personally but also the business through continued or repeated absence. In GB the same waiting lists are 5-6 months at most.

While many corporates in GB decide to offer private medical insurance to employees, that’s not always an option here in Northern Ireland where SME’s are the backbone of our recovering economy.

Ultimately this means local employers

Dr Norman Apsley OBE At Catalyst Inc, we believe Northern Ireland (NI) can be a community of innovators so powerful that its people can change the world. Ambitious perhaps but founded in today’s reality.

Our geographic location is now an asset: One of the most virus free locations in the world with plenty of water – a particular benefit to the agrifood sector; direct connectivity to oceanic fibre; and largely unspoiled with a temperate climate.

We have the people: Brilliant and successful entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists and role models, known and respected across the world, and prepared to mentor and nurture our passionate and talented millennials. Check out their contribution of to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Stubborn threats to this vision are the continuing, tragically poor performance in the lower quartile of

still depend on the NHS for the majority of workplace health. The contents of the Bengoa report outlines the positive changes and reconfigurations that will ensure the NHS is in a position to deal with the ageing population here in N.Ireland for the decade ahead. For the most part, our local medical and healthcare population are in agreement on what needs to be done but when there is no political stability, nor a legislative assembly and the related fiscal plan in place, all of what we need to happen will remain a plan on a page. Juxtaposed to a quality report which is missing a funding plan to permit implementation, are growing waiting lists, poorer medical outcomes and a knock on effect to workplace health.

Catalyst Inc

our school leavers and our old orange/green schisms which is causing local political instability. Abroad we face extraordinary change and uncertainty from the political consequences of BREXIT and Trump, while simultaneously, massive technology disruption changes business models on a daily basis.

Opportunity lies in the continuing demand across all continents, from people who want and can pay for the innovative goods and services we can offer, particularly in Health and Agrifood sectors, powered by effective ICT and Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering capabilities that are being built in Northern Ireland.

Hard focus on cultural change, using our creativity, energy and innovation across all of our society, will turn these opportunities into prosperity, even in the face of the threats!

Richard Donnan It would be easy to characterise 2016 as a pretty tumultuous year - and in a number of ways it was.

But in reality, the major political changes - like Brexit and Trump - will only see their fuller outworking this year and next. Therefore whilst it is important for Northern Ireland companies to understand the potential impacts of these changes on their sector and business models of greater importance is the need to look at and address the things that they can directly control – for example improving productivity and competitiveness; hedging currency and managing interest rate risks; and smoothing out fluctuations in working capital. A rising tide lifts all boats, but skilful sailors can still excel in more difficult waters - and many businesses will continue to make good investments and develop expansion plans, whatever lies ahead. Ulster

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Head of Northern Ireland, Ulster Bank

Bank, as a customer-focused bank, is here to help businesses future-proof their plans, manage risk and fulfil their ambitions.in all environments.

Looking at some of the bigger themes, the fall in sterling has been a boost for export competitiveness.

But we are now seeing Inflation is also creeping up as a result of the exchange rate, and the Ulster Bank PMI indicates that 2017 will likely see further increases in consumer prices as businesses seek to pass on their rising costs. In terms of opportunities, there remain many close to home, particularly for those firms that are dealing with the changing demographics and ageing of our society, such as healthcare businesses. Continued strategic investments in construction to meet the demand for housing that remains strong in areas of Northern Ireland’s housing market, will also be required.

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Eye on Economy

PREDICTIONS FOR 2017 between Britain and Ireland is unlikely as EU countries are unable to enter independent discussions, therefore we will be bound by a single agreement. It is positive, however that the Prime Minister has recognised the importance of our links with the South of Ireland both on a political and economic level. Political unrest continues to be a challenge for local business with the effects often significant, immediate and largely uncontrollable.

The Brexit plan will prioritise particular trading relationships and sectors, it remains to be seen how those negotiations will go or what those priorities are. Global trading negotiations are likely to be underway. There’s a lot to be done and national priorities will take precedent over those specifically of Northern Ireland; our economic landscape is different so we will have a challenge to retain the status quo.

Rachel Fowler – Director/Advisory

In 2016 we saw Leicester City win the premier league, our Olympians shine in Rio and our footballers and fans showed their class in France. It was turbulent and uncertain for the business community but the economists were proven wrong and the sharp decline predicted as a result of the Brexit vote hasn’t materialised.

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lready in 2017 we are heading for an Assembly election in Northern Ireland and Theresa May is bullish but positive about her Brexit plans. As Donald Trump takes residence in the White House it seems the USA might be only 140 characters away from all-out war or an economic melt-down.

The Stormont Effect In the short term a local election will have an immediate impact on our economy as it often stalls and changes the decision making process. Projects close to sign off are put on hold, particularly those that could be politically sensitive in the run up to an election. Lack of decision making often has a greater impact than the wrong decision. The public purse will tighten and in an economy

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that still has an over reliance on it, I would expect we will feel the impact in the coming months.

An independent corporation tax regime seems as far away as ever and lack of political stability would raise concerns as to whether our political leaders have the capability to manage the fiscal responsibility that comes with it.

If this is to be delivered there is a lot of work to do and the recent fall out only distracts from that.

If Brexit means Brexit?

Theresa May seems to recognise that a return to border controls would be impractical and unnecessary though it remains to be seen what solution will be put in place to control immigration which is also high on the priority list. Any special trade arrangement

So what will it mean for Northern Ireland Business?

We have a professional and close knit business community keen to collaborate and develop at every opportunity. The passion of local growers and producers shone through in 2016 with Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink showcasing the best our country has to offer. In many cases this diversification has been the result of challenges faced by the farming sector and our ability to adapt to the changing economic landscape.

This entrepreneurial spirit will be called on yet again as farming is likely to be impacted by Brexit.

That sector currently benefits from European funding in terms of capital support and subsidies whether this will be replaced with national support remains to be seen. It’s unlikely that the tap will be turned off immediately but the funding landscape will undoubtedly change.

Manufacturing and engineering continues to be an important sector within the local economy. Volatile exchange rates, commodity prices and high cost of labour will continue to challenge in 2017. Links with the US are important here and Trump’s early presidential decisions

could impact. If US relations with China become strained there could be opportunity but in the medium to long term our focus will be on product development and design rather than large scale production activities.

We have a growing professional services industry with a reputation for quality and expertise. Our education system continues to deliver strong candidates that impress global employers and help attract investment. This will continue as our lower cost base and skilled workforce presents an attractive opportunity for many firms.

Notwithstanding this a lack of office space in key areas and a requirement to improve IT infrastructure continues to be a barrier.

Will we ride the storm?

It seems that we have been talking to clients about political instability and Brexit implications for a long time. Monitoring exchange rates, seeking opportunities to better match trading relationships to deal with the volatility are now common place. There is no doubt we face challenges, our fate is not always within our control and global uncertainty will impact growth.

That said the global economic climate is changing and within that there will always be opportunity.

We believe our client base provides a good indicator of the mood of the Northern Ireland SME sector.

In the past few years we have learned a lot about the resilience and expertise amongst our own clients and in the local business community. 2017 will not be without its challenges but if we can weather the storm in the early part of the year and return some stability to the political and economic landscape we will be well placed to deal with the opportunity 2017 will bring.

Contact us: Rachel Fowler – Director/Advisory T: 028 8775 2990 F: 028 8775 2909 E: Rachel.fowler@cavanaghkelly. com W: www.cavanaghkelly.com

Eye on Energy

Plans Unveiled for £280 million Belfast Power Station Project Plans have been officially unveiled for a state-of-the-art, gas-fired power station in the Belfast Harbour Estate.

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he Belfast Power Station will represent a new era of low-carbon electricity generation in Northern Ireland, and will generate clean electricity for over 500,000 homes and businesses across the region.

In economic terms it will provide a major boost for the city and at £280 million is one of the largest private investments ever undertaken in Northern Ireland. The project will create 700 jobs during construction and 50 highly skilled full time posts when it becomes operational.

The power station is scheduled to become operational as older coal-fired generating stations in Northern Ireland are being decommissioned. This means it will not only result in a significant shift towards cleaner energy production, but it will also play an essential role in ensuring that there is the indigenous electricity generation needed to meet demand levels in the coming years.

Ciaran Devine, Director of Belfast Power Ltd., feels that the proposed power station is a perfect fit for what the electricity market needs going forward: “While we’re very proud to be bringing this level of financial investment to Northern Ireland, our real focus is delivering a project that best serves the needs of the electricity market here as we continue to develop and grow the local economy.

“We’re reaching a time when there is genuine uncertainty regarding whether or not we will have enough electricity to meet demand in the next 5 years.

The Belfast Power Station – which will have an output of around 480MW – will help to address this issue.

“It’s also a key focus for Belfast Power that we generate electricity in a way that is sustainable for future generations. SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) has done fantastic work in recent years to facilitate the high level of wind energy on the system, and deserves huge credit for the role it has played in allowing us to benefit from record levels of wind generation this year already.

“We have worked to ensure that our proposed gas-fired project will help to build on this success, leading to a reduction of one billion tonnes of CO2 emissions a year, which will significantly enhance Northern Ireland’s low-carbon credentials.”

Ciaran and his brother Stephen Devine founded local company Evermore Energy in 2009 with a view to initiating, developing and financing low-carbon strategic infrastructure projects throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe.

Most recently they successfully developed the £90 million Lisahally Combined Heat and Power Plant in Derry - Northern Ireland’s largest renewable energy power station. As a result they know firsthand what it takes to deliver viable, forward-thinking infrastructure in the local electricity market.

A CGI of the new Belfast Power Station in the Belfast Harbour Estate

“The Lisahally Power Plant has been a great success and we’re delighted to have overseen major investment and job creation close to where we grew up. The plant is fully operational and provides green energy to almost 30,000 people in the North West region.

“In terms of the Belfast Power Station project, we have officially partnered with world-renowned Siemens Energy to design and operate the plant.

Therefore, with our local knowledge and successful track record in Northern Ireland coupled with Siemens’ expertise as market-leading engineers, we have an extremely strong team in place to deliver the project.”

Siemens Energy is currently designing a bespoke plant that will be tailored to meet the needs of the local electricity market and to ensure it is appropriate for the project site in the Belfast Harbour Estate.

“A key consideration for us in the early stages of bringing together the Belfast Power Station project was identifying a suitable site in a strategic location. This led to us working closely with Belfast Harbour to secure a site in the Harbour Estate near Bombardier’s CSeries facility that is perfect for what we are proposing.

“It falls within an industrial area earmarked for energy development and is accessible to the main gas and electricity networks. Also, the fact that it is within the greater Belfast area means that electricity will be generated close to where it is needed, leading to less network costs for consumers and a very high quality of supply.”

Ciaran believes that, with the delivery of the Belfast Power Station in 2020, Northern Ireland is on the cusp of establishing the world-class electricity infrastructure needed to benefit consumers and allow the economy to fulfil its potential.

“The Belfast Power Station will be the most efficient plant of its kind anywhere in the UK and Ireland, and will use cutting edge technology to provide consumers with the electricity supply they need to go about their daily lives and to power businesses as they grow and expand.

“So not only will we have the level and quality of supply needed for modern life in Northern Ireland, but with the delivery of SONI’s proposed North South Interconnector we will see an all-island electricity market that is reliable and works in the best interest of consumers everywhere.

“Therefore with these key projects progressing, Northern Ireland’s electricity sector is in a very exciting place right now.”

In order to meet its completion date in 2020, Belfast Power Ltd. is currently working to submit a full planning application to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) by the end of February 2017.

“We have carried out extensive pre-application consultation on the project and have engaged extensively with the team in DfI who have been excellent in their approach so far. All the feedback we have received to date has been very positive and we hope to keep that momentum up through submission of the application and on to a decision.

“In terms of future development, the Belfast Power Station is one of a number of developments that we are undertaking in Northern Ireland and we are looking forward to making further announcements regarding Evermore Energy projects in the coming months.”

More information about the proposed Belfast Power Station can be found online at www.belfastpower.com.

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Eye on Taxation

Inheritance Tax... Planning Is The Key

By Leanne Hillock, ASM Chartered Accountants

D

uring their 2015 election campaign, the Conservative Party pledged to “take the family home out of Inheritance Tax by raising the Nil Rate Band to £1 million for couples and civil partners”. When the Conservatives got elected they did not simply increase the current Nil Rate Band (NRB) but introduced the Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) in order to meet their campaign pledge.

Residence Nil Rate Band An estate will be entitled to a RNRB if all of the following conditions are met: • An individual dies on or after 6 April 2017; • The individual owns a home or share of a home that will be included in their estate; • The individual’s direct descendants such as children or grandchildren inherit the home or a share of the home; and • Their estate is valued at £2 million or less.

The RNRB will start at £100,000 in the 2017/18 tax year, rising to £175,000 in the 2020/21 tax year.

For later years it will increase in line with inflation. The RNRB will be restricted to the value of the home.

For example, Mr Smith dies on 6 May 2019 when the RNRB is £150,000, but his home is valued at £125,000. In this instance the RNRB will be restricted to £125,000 and the remaining £25,000 cannot be added to the NRB. Like the NRB, the RNRB is transferable to the spouse and available to use on the second death. The RNRB can still be transferred even if the first death occurred before 6 April 2017.

So from the 2020/21 tax year, the £1M Nil Rate Band can be

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achieved by the surviving spouse where the maximum NRB and RNRB (£325,000 and £175,000 respectively) have been transferred from the deceased spouse and then added to their own NRB and RNRB. The RNRB is not available in respect of lifetime transfers and does not apply to gifts to Discretionary Trusts for the benefit of lineal descendants, even on death. The home does not need to be the deceased’s Principal Private Residence but must be a property that was owned by the deceased and lived in at some point before death. The RNRB is also available on Gifts with Reservation of Benefit. If the deceased transferred their home to their children prior to death but continued to live there, the home remains in the deceased’s estate for Inheritance Tax purposes, which is a Gift with Reservation of Benefit. The RNRB is not available on buy to let properties.

For estates valued at more than £2 million the RNRB will be reduced by £1 for every £2 that the deceased’s estate exceeds £2 million. Therefore, when an estate is valued at more than £2.35 million in the 2020/21 tax year, no RNRB will be available.

When calculating the value of the deceased’s estate in respect of their entitlement to RNRB, no consideration is given to spousal exemptions and Inheritance Tax Reliefs such as Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief. For example, if the deceased’s estate comprises shares in a private limited trading company valued at £6 million and other assets worth £1.8 million, despite Business Property Relief providing 100% relief from Inheritance Tax on the shares, entitlement to RNRB would be nil as the full value of the estate before reliefs (£7.8 million) must be used for the RNRB calculation.

Downsizing If the value of the house in the deceased’s estate is lower than the maximum RNRB, it may be possible to claim a downsizing addition in order to benefit from the full RNRB. The Downsizing Addition must be claimed by the deceased’s Personal Representatives within two years of the deceased’s death and the following conditions must be met: • The deceased downsized to a less valuable home or ceased to own a home, on or after 8 July 2015; • The former home would have qualified for the full RNRB if it had been owned at death; and • At least some of the deceased’s estate is inherited by the deceased’s lineal descendants.

While the Conservatives did not entirely deliver on their promise to increase a couple’s and civil partners’ NRB to £1 million, it is expected that

the RNRB will remove approximately £9.5 billion of residential properties from the Inheritance Tax net.

Inheritance Tax can substantially reduce the value of an estate that can be passed on to future generations. Fortunately, with careful planning, Inheritance Tax liabilities can be significantly mitigated or even reduced to nil.

For further information, please contact Leanne Hillock, Senior Tax Manager at ASM Chartered Accountants on 028 90249222 or leanne.hillock@asmbelfast.com This material has been prepared for information purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax or accounting advice. You should consult a professional adviser before undertaking any tax planning.

Eye on Finance

RSM Northern Ireland Merges With RSM UK To Further Strengthen Offering RSM Northern Ireland (formerly RSM McClure Watters), including its consulting business, PACEC Limited, has merged with RSM UK to strengthen the service capability and sector expertise of the Belfast firm, whilst enhancing its UK reach.

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he merger will bring together two complementary firms.

All 70 staff from RSM Northern Ireland and its Belfast and Cambridge based consulting business, PACEC Limited, will join RSM UK - bringing the total headcount for the combined business to almost 4,000.

RSM Northern Ireland is a wellestablished firm with over 25 years’ experience in audit, tax,

and consulting in Ireland and the UK, and the business will fully integrate as part of RSM UK. David Watters who has led the firm since its formation will leave as a partner, but remain in a consultancy role for an initial period of time. Richard Gardiner will take on the role of Belfast managing partner going forward.

Richard Gardiner commenting on the merger, said: ‘We have consistently grown our practice over the years, both organically and through acquisitions, and this is the next step of strategic growth for us.’

‘Both organisations have a strong sense of shared values and vision, including our commitment to professionalism; our desire to deliver a high standard of client service; and the importance we place on supporting our clients, suppliers

and staff to achieve their goals.

This highlights a natural synergy in terms of what we do and how we do it - bringing together two complementary businesses to enhance our expertise and capability and shape the future growth of the firm.’

David Gwilliam, chief operating officer at RSM UK, added: ‘The professional services market in Northern Ireland is vibrant and RSM is a key player in this market. Our merger offers a fantastic opportunity to grow our services in Northern Ireland and expand our consulting business in the UK. We have a clear vision to become the first choice advisor to middle market leaders and the merger further strengthens our offering and geographic reach across the UK– taking us a step closer to this goal.’

“ Both organisations have a strong sense of shared values and vision, including our commitment to professionalism; our desire to deliver a high standard of client service; and the importance we place on supporting our clients, suppliers and staff to achieve their goals.”

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Celebrating life, every day, everywhere

DRINK RESPONSIBLY The BAILEYS, GORDON’S, CAPTAIN MORGAN, SMIRNOFF, GUINNESS, SMITHWICKS, CARLSBERG and HARP words and associated logos are trade marks © Diageo 2015.

Eye on Events

Business Urged To Consider Mediation

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he Chair of the Dispute Resolution Service (DRS), Brian Speers has said that: “Local businesses in Northern Ireland must be more aware of the legal implications of the European Consumer Mediation Directive which requires them to consider mediation in consumer disputes”.

Mr Speers was speaking at an event organised by the Dispute Resolution Service (DRS) to announce that it had received accreditation from the Chartered Trading Standards

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Institute for consumer mediation.

The DRS, which is administered by the Law Society of Northern Ireland, is the only mediation provider based in Northern Ireland offering accredited consumer mediation services and mediators.

Pictured at the event were Brian Speers, Chair of the Dispute Resolution Service, Ian Huddleston, President of the Law Society, Michael Bready Mediator/ Barrister Alan Hunter, Chief Executive of the Law Society.

INSURING A MEMORABLE EVENING

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he newly-renamed Institute of Northern Ireland, formerly Belfast Insurance Institute, held its annual President’s Dinner recently in the Stuart Suite of the Culloden Estate & Spa. Welcoming over 500 guests from across the Insurance profession in Northern Ireland to the black-tie event, IINI President Brendan Mooney remarked on the strength of the profession today and the province-wide reach of the Institute, which has catered for the needs of its members across Northern Ireland for over 100 years.

Special guests at the invest included Dame Mary Peters, who credits insurance for bringing her family to Northern Ireland when her father’s job moved the family to Northern Ireland, Belfast Lord Mayor Alderman Brian Kingston, Michael O’Neill MBE, Manager of the Northern Ireland football team, BBC sport broadcaster Joel Taggart, and Sian Fisher, CEO of the Chartered Insurance Institute in the UK. Institute President Brendan Mooney is pictured with NI football manager Michael O’Neill.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere

DRINK RESPONSIBLY The BAILEYS, GORDON’S, CAPTAIN MORGAN, SMIRNOFF, GUINNESS, SMITHWICKS, CARLSBERG and HARP words and associated logos are trade marks © Diageo 2015.

Eye on Events

AIRPORT’S GOLD AWARD

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elfast City Airport has achieved ‘Gold’ status in this year’s Business in the Community’s Environmental Benchmarking Survey.

The survey recognises and rewards organisations that are going above and beyond their legal requirements to minimise their environmental impacts

and better manage their resources.

Laura Duggan, Environmental Manager at Belfast City Airport, is joined by Declan Cunningham, Head of Sustainability and Risk Management at Moy Park (left), and Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive for NITHC & Translink and Environment Leadership Team Chair, BITCNI (right).

EAST GOES ONLINE

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toolkit aimed at helping fledgling businesses based in East Belfast and beyond to improve their online business was recently launched in Belfast. As part of the CEO (Creative Enterprises Online) programme, funded by ERASMUS, with support from the European Commission, the toolkit provides

users with a guide to enable them to grow professionally, and increase their commercial success.

Launching the CEO programme in East Belfast recently are Sarah Daly, Creative Spark, Linzi Rooney, Studio Souk, Kenny Rodgers, East Belfast Enterprise, Rhiannon Ewing-James, Craft NI, and Dave Woods, Bag of Bees.

Winter Refurbishment On The Menu For Gastro Pub

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alloo Inns’ Directors Jennie and Ronan Sweeney are pictured with Chef Danny Millar (centre) at The Parson’s Nose in Hillsborough.

The multi award-winning gastropub, which is part of the Balloo Inns Group, is set to unveil a new chapter in early 2017 with an exciting new

refurbishment and extended menu currently underway. The investment plans for the establishment remain faithful to Parson’s original Georgian and classic country dining style while incorporating a stunning new interior and exterior courtyard redevelopment.

MACKLIN CARE HOMES HONOUR STAFF

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taff members at the familyrun Macklin Care Homes in Northern Ireland have been honoured for their tireless work and dedication to the care of their residents over the last 30 years.

Almost 100 employees from five nursing homes within the group were recognised for their contribution to the care of 267 residents at an anniversary event at the Lodge Hotel in Coleraine.

Macklin Care Homes, which opened its first home in Northern Ireland exactly 30 years ago, now operates five homes; Arlington in South Belfast, Park Manor in Dunmurry, Ratheane in Coleraine, Milesian Manor in Magherafelt and Leabank in Ballycastle.

Members of the Macklin family (centre) are pictured with some of the company’s staff who were honoured recently for long service.

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Eye on Fleet Management

Sawyers Transport Ltd Sign Long Term Agreement with NIBC Ltd for their range of Fleet Management & Mobile Technology Sawyers, are based in Co. Armagh Northern Ireland with a fleet of 500 trailers and have recently been acquired by Argo Merchants Group. Chris Corr, Head of Operations tells us how their relationship with NIBC has been a successful one over the past decade and why they have signed a further 5 year deal for their telematics.

“I

started with Sawyers while still at University over 10 years ago, and we were working closely with NIBC even then” explains Chris. “Our operations have become reliant on the technology & service provided by NIBC which is vital for the day to day running of our group.”

“The team at NIBC have been excellent at listening to our needs and developing new products and services as technology evolves. It’s also great to have a local company with one point of contact that are able to supply so many excellent products.”

The range of products currently benefiting Sawyers are:

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Mobiles & Landlines Looking at the telecoms services supplied by NIBC, Chris comments “We now have one bill for both our mobiles and landline spend across the group including tariffs with roaming and we have seen significant savings.”

He added “all lines benefit from short codes enabling a quicker, smoother communication process with all our drivers and office staff in various departments and locations from numerous devices.”

Trailer Smart The portal from NIBC gives live data on the exact location of all trailers across Europe, whether in transit or when unhooked. Chris explains, “We have been using the tracking service for 10 years now and as the technology has advanced so too has the offering from NIBC. This has enabled us to remain at the top of our game and being competitive in our market. Our planners are now reliant on the reporting capabilities of the system, as they have a trailer utilisation report scheduled to their inbox each morning.

A major benefit of the trailer

tracking from NIBC is the security it provides our trailers and the loads they are carrying, giving peace of mind to ourselves, our drivers and customers. In addition, our refrigerated trailers require temperature monitoring which is available through the tracking portal. Our transport team are notified if the temperature varies too much, and we can then advice the driver to take action to rectify. This is imperative for the service we give our customers.”

Camera Smart The range of camera systems now offered by NIBC ensure that it is always be possible to provide conclusive video evidence of incidents, not only helping to protect your business and individual drivers, but also giving you valuable footage for driver training and development.

This is something Sawyers have first hand experience of.

“Since the installation of our cameras across the fleet we have

To find out more about our products visit www.nibc.co.uk

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Eye on Fleet Management

Chris explains “Tacho Smart will allow our planners to accurately calculate suitability for job and driver assignment and keeps us compliant. There is now no need for us to visit the vehicle for a download as this is scheduled automatically from Tacho Smart and the data sent directly to our planners.”

Vehicle Defect App

Conor Patton, Business Development Manager of nibc and Chris Corr, Head of Operations, Sawyers

supplied for our cameras so far as well as the service provided by our account manager and his team. For this reason we are happy to upgrade with NIBC and award them with our latest contract. The ability to remotely dial into the 4 way camera feed and download the live footage of any incidents or accidents from any view point as they happen is such a valuable tool to us as it will save time, money & resources by eliminating the need to visit the vehicle.”

Tacho Smart seen a reduction in insurance claims as it is now possible to prove the innocence of our drivers when necessary. The need to do this however has also decreased as the installation of the cameras and driver training has made our

drivers more aware of how they drive.” The success of the current system has led to Sawyers placing a new order with NIBC to upgrade the system to the Live 4-way DVR solution. “We are very pleased with both the hardware and software

The new products Sawyers are having installed by NIBC doesn’t end there. Sawyers are also rolling out revolutionary technology that will eliminate the need visit the vehicle to download the drivers cards, a necessary rule to remain compliant in the EU.

“The vehicle checks are a vital part of a drivers daily routine. They must check their vehicle before and after each journey to ensure it is road worthy. This can be a time consuming task and then to communicate any issues with the garage and create an admin record again will take time for both drivers and mechanics. The new multilingual app can be tailored to our needs and enables us drivers to check their vehicles on their smart phones, and take a photograph of any defects. The defect and report is then sent directly to our garage enabling them to manage their over-load effectively knowing what will be coming in in advance. The automatic admin trail is a major bonus for us also.”

“The App contains a check list of things to do and information to record if an incident occurs which will be useful particularly at night when the offices are closed.”

Working closely with sawyers, listening to their needs and current processes always looking for ways that nibc can help is Conor Patton.

“He will suggest products that will be beneficial to us as a company.

The relationship we have grown and service provided are important factors in working with NIBC but the money also has to be right.

Nibc offer value for money. This is why we are more than happy to sign another contract with Conor and NIBC to extend our relationship for another 5 years.”

For further information www.nibc.co.uk or call 028 9448 5422.

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Eye on Health

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eins come in a variety of types such as varicose veins, thread veins and spider veins. Depending on the type you suffer from, a number of treatments are available including surgical and non-surgical options. The key to success is careful assessment of your

veins. Non-invasive treatments such as Thermal Ablation or Foam Sclerotherapy are often best to control symptoms or reducing skin complications.

Surgical removal often offers the best cosmetic outcome.

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SUITS YOU, SIR Recruiters have admitted turning someone down in a job interview because of the way they were dressed, according to a survey commissioned by the University of Kent and conducted by TheLadders.co.uk.

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host of other surveys have also revealed a bias toward the more sartorially savvy than those packing a portfolio of better qualifications.

And just as a recent academic study claimed the wrong colour of shoes can spoil your job prospects, an inferior suit can just as easily block your journey down your ideal career path.

Like it or not, we live in a world where first impressions count and sadly it’s often style over substance that shapes people’s perceptions.

Patrick Cooper, proprietor of The Tailor Company, whose Belfast-based team visits clients at their own office premises or homes says the cut of a suit is all-important when seeking to make a positive first impression.

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“The way a suit is cut is such an important factor in the first impression you make.

“If you invest in a good suit you will reap the rewards. It will last longer and feel better.

“We can personalise it as much as you want by including your monogram in the lining, on the edge of the buttons or even on the cuffs. There’ll be no mistaking you for anyone but someone to respect and to be reckoned with.”

Trained by master tailors from the top style and fashion houses of Burberry and Holland & Sherry who supply Saville Row, Patrick cut his tailoring teeth with some of the world’s finest cloth merchants Scabel, Loro Piana and Zegna.

Patrick and his team offers over a thousand different fabrics, thereby

presenting customers with a much greater choice than they can find in a typical high street retailer. *The Tailor Company is preparing to add a new service in January, offering customers the chance to create an annual wardrobe with four of the finest bespoke suits, crafted to your exact fit and specification, accompanied by eight shirts from Italy’s finest pure cotton fabrics.

All made to flatter and worn with extreme comfort, a delivery schedule can be agreed at time of ordering.

“The way a suit is cut is such an important factor in the first impression you make,” he explains.

“If you invest in a good suit you will reap the rewards and it will last longer, from the exterior you can see, to the interior you can’t.

“We’ll insert your monogram in the lining, on the edge of the buttons and on the cuffs; there’ll be no mistaking you for anyone but someone to respect and to be reckoned with.” www.thetailorcompany.com

Eye on News

Ken Belshaw Awarded NRF Lifetime Achievement Award One of the Northern Ireland business community’s bestknown persoanalities, Ken Belshaw, has been awarded the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award given by the National Recruitment Federation of Ireland for his support to the NRF and the Irish recruitment industry.

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well-known figure throughout Ireland both North and South, Belshaw co-founded Grafton Recruitment with the late James Kilbane in 1983. Today the Grafton Recruitment Group has 44 branches in 22 countries.

He has worked in Recruitment for 42 years. Originally from Belfast he joined SOS Bureau, part of Hestair plc, in Edinburgh in 1975. Starting in tele-sales as a Vacancy Controller he progressed to Branch Manager with Hestair in Edinburgh and

London. Returning to Ireland he helped establish Marlborough Employment before opening Grafton Recruitment in Dublin in 1983 and Belfast in 1985.

In 1994 Grafton established its first international branch in Prague and today the company has 25 branches in CEE. Commenting on the award Ken Belshaw said: “I am very grateful to the NRF and my colleagues and friends over all the years. I look back and think of all the people who helped set standards

Ken Belshaw from Grafton Recruitment receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from Geraldine King, Director of National Recruitment Federation.

for our industry. Looking around tonight I recognise their efforts and the professionalism we have achieved and I am overwhelmed by this award” Ken Belshaw (64) is now retired from day-to-day involvement with Grafton Recruitment. He was Managing Director when Grafton won the Queens Award for Enterprise in 2002 and 2006.

In addition he was awarded the

prestigious Gratias Agit award by the Czech Nation alongside US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in a ceremony in Prague in 2006. A Visiting Professor of Ulster University Business School and Chairman of the Player Services Board of the Irish Rugby Union Players Association he continues to mentor young people on their careers. He is Honorary Consul for Hungary in Northern Ireland.

Partnership to Advance the Knowledge Economy Catalyst Inc along with Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) and Omagh Enterprise Company has announced a memorandum of understanding between the three organisations that will focus on collaboration, innovation and partnership.

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his agreement recognises the similarities and complementarities of the three organisations and their shared vision to grow the regional economy as an integral part of Northern Ireland becoming one of the most entrepreneurial knowledge economies in Europe by 2030.

Through sharing networks, resources and programmes, the partnership aims to provide more opportunities for entrepreneurs to engage within the innovation ecosystem and maximise the impact of the support provided by the organisations. Omagh Enterprise Company will become a hub within the Catalyst Inc network. Catalyst Inc was founded with a focus on developing the

Knowledge Economy through increasing the scale and breadth of innovation.

The 2016 Knowledge Economy report showed that Northern Ireland is the second fastest growing region across the UK with the knowledge economy representing 10% of the total economy.

The challenge is to boost knowledge economy activity at a pace that exceeds other regions and then to translate this activity into economic outcomes in terms of employment and wage growth.

Speaking in Omagh, at the signing of the agreement, Dr Noman Apsley OBE, CEO Catalyst Inc commented “We have had a close relationship with Omagh Enterprise Company for many years and we are delighted to see how this

John Andy, LYIT, Nick O’Sheil CEO Omagh Enterprise Company, Paul Hannigan President LYIT and Dr Norman Apsley OBE CEO Catalyst Inc

has developed. The three organisations share a common vision that this regional economy can be an integral part of one of the most entrepreneurial knowledge economies in Europe by 2030. Our 2016 Knowledge Economy Report, published in November, showed that there are a number of hot spots across Northern Ireland, of which Omagh is one, and this partnership will provide additional regional support for entrepreneurs and innovative companies.”

He continued “The successful North West Regional Science Park Project is a collaboration between Catalyst Inc and Letterkenny Institute of Technology and today’s announcement with Omagh Enterprise Company will provide an

important further link within the region.”

Paul Hannigan, President, LYIT welcomed the collaboration with Omagh Enterprise Company and praised the very productive relationship with Catalyst Inc. which has made this possible as well as a number of other exciting new collaborative opportunities to advance the Knowledge Economy.

Dr Nicholas O’Shiel, CEO Omagh Enterprise Company, commented “I am delighted to formalise the link with Catalyst Inc and Letterkenny Institute of Technology as it will allow us to work closer together in developing an entrepreneurial economy in the area as part of the Northern Ireland vision to support knowledge based businesses.”

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Eye on News

SHARING EXPERTISE AT TASTE OF TOURISM SUMMIT 2017 Back for a second year by popular demand is the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF) Taste of Tourism Summit on Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th April 2017 in the Culloden Estate and Spa. The event will provide businesses with an opportunity to listen to the experiences of a range of speakers, who have used food and drink to attract new customers, improve profits and enhance their reputations.

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anice Gault, Chief Executive of NI Hotels Federation discusses the Summit, which will focus on what the modern culinary tourist wants: “For any business in the tourism spectrum, food and drink have a central role. It’s important to understand emerging trends, changing consumer needs and what’s in vogue for the traveller seeking an authentic culinary experience. Given that the number of international tourists to Northern Ireland rose in 2015 and in the first six months in 2016, it’s really important that we understand how to make our culinary offering both authentic and attractive.

“As a society, we want to be involved in our food and we want to know what produce has been used to create the dishes on the menu. For people who

enjoy good food, the story behind the dish is equally as important as the way in which it’s served and presented.

Last year’s inaugural Taste of Tourism Summit was a real success. Delegates loved it! They had the opportunity to meet artisan producers, sample their unique produce and then garner insights from experts in the sector who are producing exceptional menus, building loyal customer bases and thriving.”

Attendees at this year’s Summit will also have the pleasure of meeting and sharing in the experience of renowned Michelin star chef, Jun Tanaka, Head Chef and owner of The Ninth, a contemporary restaurant in the heart of London’s buzzy Fitzrovia. Jun has over 20 years’ experience working in London’s top restaurants such as Le Gavroche, The

Restaurant Marco Pierre White and The Square, where he was trained in classic French cuisine by Marco Pierre White, Phillip Howard and The Roux brothers.

The Ninth is a warm and inviting restaurant serving up simple but refined French-Mediterranean style dishes, which are all made for sharing.

Having only opened in November 2015, Jun’s hotly anticipated opening of his first solo restaurant since The Pearl received glowing reviews and didn’t disappoint receiving a coveted Michelin star within a year of opening.

The restaurant brings a new social element to Michelin dining with sharing plates and dishes for the table. This style of dining will feature at the Taste of Northern Ireland dinner, where Jun will create platters using local star ingredients

in an exceptional tasting menu.

Delegates will also enjoy a Taste of Northern Ireland Breakfast featuring iconic brands, traditional fare and a range of healthy options. This will be followed by a Picnic NI Lunch, which includes a food hamper for sharing, grazing and enjoying the best local products. Curated artisan food and drink will also be served up at an Artisan Marketplace throughout the day.

The event is sponsored by: Tourism Northern Ireland, Invest NI, Tourism Ireland and the Food Standards Agency NI, along with a range of local suppliers.

The Taste of Northern Ireland Gourmet Dinner is supported by Bunzl McLaughlin and the artisan food market is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

NEW RESTAURANT BRINGS 25 JOBS TO EAST BELFAST

T Pictured are Karen Hoey, Senior Corporate Manager at Danske Bank and Richard McCracken, Owner and Head Chef at Cyprus Avenue.

Ballyhackamore’s growing attraction as a hospitality destination has been boosted with the opening of a new restaurant that has created 25 jobs following a £250,000 investment.

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he investment in Cyprus Avenue has been part supported by Danske Bank.

The new eatery has been opened by Richard McCracken, a chef with over 12 years’ experience, working in Scotland, London and Paris. Although a lot of Richard’s experience has been in Michelin star restaurants, working with Tom Kitchin in Edinburgh and Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, Cyprus Avenue is a casual dining neighbourhood bistro with a menu that places a firm emphasis on good local produce, while remaining familiar and affordable. The restaurant seats up to 50 guests and features an outside patio area at the front of the building. Opening from 9am seven days a week, diners will be able to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Mr McCracken said: “Growing up I always wanted to have my own restaurant and cooking was something I fell in love

with while studying in Glasgow. Every summer I would come home and gain first-hand experience with Danny Millar, working my way up from a kitchen porter through the ranks at Balloo House.

“The building in which we have opened had been empty for a while. Given its proximity to the city centre, high footfall and the overall appeal of the area, I knew it was too good an opportunity to pass up.

“There has been a complete refurbishment of the unit with a significant extension. The kitchen has moved upstairs allowing us to utilise the entire ground floor space for customers.

A number of other businesses in the area have maintained the original architecture of the buildings and this was something we were also keen to preserve. The interior is completely bespoke with exposed red brickwork and fittings made from mahogany and leather.

“When I presented my business plan to Danske Bank, they bought into it straight away and were very keen to support me. They’ve been with me every step of the process and on hand for advice any time I’ve needed them. They’ll still be providing support on a day to day basis and it is reassuring that they are so supportive of a start-up business.”

Karen Hoey, Senior Corporate Manager at Danske Bank commented: “At Danske Bank we are keen to support businesses of all sizes. The hospitality sector is a major contributor to the local economy and is going from strength to strength.

“Richard’s refurbishment of the property is in keeping with a number of other businesses in Ballyhackamore, adding to the already diverse offering to consumers in the area.”

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Eye on News

Hotel Expansion Report Shows Solid 2016 Performance

Janice Gault, Chief Executive, NI Hotels Federation; Ciaran O’Neill, President, NI Hotels Federation and Sarah Duignan, STR.

For Northern Ireland hotels 2016 proved to be a solid year for business. Following a slow start, many hotels reported record trading during the summer months with the trend extending well into autumn. Overall, this resulted in a conservative growth in terms of occupancy and room rate.

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owever, one of the most significant aspects of 2016 has undoubtedly been the volume of hotel expansion that has taken place. Indeed, this trend is set to continue with a new budget opening just announced for Belfast. Currently, over twenty projects area likely to open in Northern Ireland by 2018, adding an additional 2,000 rooms to

the region’s hotel bed-stock.

Some concerns have been expressed around the reported level of expansion and the 2016 annual figures released from STR, the renowned hotel benchmarking company, may add to this disquiet.

The annual figures show hotel occupancy in Northern Ireland growing by 2.8% with room rates increasing by 7.5%.

Sarah Duignan, Director of Client Relationships at STR says: “Northern Ireland has seen a reasonable recovery in terms of rate and occupancy since 2012.

The market has been sporadic at times and it’s important to bear in mind that there haven’t been any major hotel openings for nearly a decade. A significant influx of new hotels could shift the balance and result in changes to the market’s performance levels.”

Janice Gault, CEO of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation says: “Many had predicted much higher occupancy levels. However, 2016 was very much a year of two halves with a sluggish first six months presenting a considerable

challenge for the sector. The strong performance in the second half of the year effectively meant 2016 came in only slightly ahead of 2015. When looking at the figures in more detail, it was clear that Belfast had a very poor first six months trading. The city trailed significantly behind the record 2015 figures until June. This has offset a record second summer with the city trading at over 90%.

“Also of interest was the fact that regional destinations like Derry and Fermanagh fared better, with Derry growing occupancy and a similar picture emerging in Fermanagh.”

Ciaran O’Neill, President of the NI Hotels Federation adds: “As an industry, we remain positive in terms of performance and the second half of 2016 was very strong. It is important to note that hotels trade over a 365-day period and it is imperative that we develop additional business for off season periods and continue to try and grow rates. The latter half of 2016 has certainly raised the bar and we hope that this trend will continue into 2017!”

Making Tax Digital – introduce in 2020 to give business time, says ACCA

C Chas Roy-Chowdhury

HMRC’s announcement on ‘Bringing business tax into the digital age’ cannot be rushed, according to the professional body, the ACCA. 84

has Roy-Chowdhury, Head of Tax at the ACCA in London says: ‘Getting tax bills right first time is clearly important.

So HMRC’s plans go some way to ensuring this happens.

‘Our concerns about this project have always centred on the pressures of quarterly reporting for filers, and the practicalities and cost of doing so.

‘We are pleased that logistics for business have been taken into account – such as being able to use

spread sheets to record receipts and expenditure, and that for those businesses that cannot go digital will not be required to do so.

‘We are also pleased that HMRC has said further consideration is needed by government on initial exemption thresholds and deferring the changes for some small businesses alongside their business costs - such as software.

‘But we are disappointed that there is no full scale deferral

especially in the light of Brexit, business uncertainty and the changes ahead - we hope the Government’s final decision will be a wholesale deferral to 2020 so that business can prepare.

‘We also believe that SMEs need to be exempt at least to the VAT threshold at £83,000.

‘We look forward to continuing our work with HMRC and ACCA will be giving evidence to future Treasury Select Committee hearings.’

Eye on News

FROM ITALY TO BELFAST O

ne of the biggest events on Ireland’s social calendar in 2017 is set to be an exclusive fashion show by luxury Italian design house Max Mara, as it brings its full Spring/Summer 2017 collection from the catwalks of Milan to Belfast City Hall on 10 March in support of leading learning disability charity Positive Futures.

The event is being hosted by kind permission of The Right Hon The Lord Mayor Brian Kingston who supports Positive Futures.

Chief Executive of Positive Futures, Agnes Lunny OBE, remarked: “We are delighted to benefit from such a prestigious international show by one of the most exclusive names in fashion. The money raised

will make a real difference to the people we support. We thank the Max Mara Belfast and Italy teams for their generosity and for allowing us to be part of what will be an exciting international event happening right here in Ireland.”

Positive Futures provides support to people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury or autistic spectrum condition, and their carers.

Tickets for the show are priced at £35 (sterling) per person or £75 for a VIP experience and are available online from www.positive-futures. net Make up for the show will be by Charlotte Tilbury with hair by international session stylist Richard Phillipart for BaByliss.

Diageo To Launch New Irish Whiskey

Diageo is to launch a new premium blended Irish Whiskey, Roe & Co on the back of its plans to invest in a £19 million whiskey distillery at the St. James’s Gate site in Dublin.

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s seen in other spirit categories in recent years, Diageo identified a clear opportunity in Irish Whiskey to drive overall category growth via premiumisation. Responding to this, Roe & Co was born. The brand has been created to reflect modern, contemporary luxury, in everything from pack to liquid, and with a focus of making Irish Whiskey more prominent in Europe’s booming cocktail culture. Roe & Co is made

from the finest hand-selected stocks of Irish malt and grain whiskies and aged in bourbon casks. It has the signature smoothness of Irish Whiskey with remarkable depth of flavor - a luxuriously smooth blend, with a perfect harmony between the intense fruitiness of the malt and the mellow creaminess of the grain whiskies.

Roe & Co is named in honour of George Roe, the once world-famous whiskey maker who helped build the golden era of Irish Whiskey in the 19th century. His distillery, George Roe and Co extended over 17 acres on Thomas Street in Dublin and was once Ireland’s largest distillery. As neighbours for hundreds of years George Roe and Co and Guinness were the two biggest names at the heart of Dublin’s historic brewing and distilling quarter.

Diageo will now build on this rich heritage with the creation of a new distillery by converting the historic former Guinness Power

House on Thomas Street. The new St. James’s Gate distillery, will be situated just a stones throw away from where the George Roe and Co distillery once stood and subject to planning approval will begin production in the first half of 2019.

Using her 30 years of experience, Diageo’s Master Blender Caroline Martin and her team set about meticulously sourcing and selecting stocks of the very finest Irish whiskies. Having trialed over 100 prototype blends since December 2014, Caroline has created an extraordinary expression of Irish Whiskey. The high proportion of first-fill casks gives notes of creamy vanilla balanced with its hints of fruit and soft spice and a remarkable depth for such an elegant and refined whiskey. Roe & Co is nonchill filtered and bottled at 45% ABV. The first blend of Roe & Co will be available in key European cities from 1st March 2017 as part of Diageo’s growing Reserve portfolio.

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Eye on News

NI FIRMS HONOURED BY INTERTRADE IRELAND

Dominic Mullins and Michael Montague from Tyrone Fabrications Ltd (centre) receive their FUSION Exemplar awards from Thomas Hunter McGowan and Margaret Hearty from InterTradeIreland.

TWO Northern Ireland firms have been elevated to Exemplar status by InterTrade Ireland.

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ngineering firm, Tyrone Fabrication Ltd (TFL), based in Ballygawley and Toomebridge-based manufacturing company, Copper Industries, have been honoured for exceptionally high levels of innovation and collaboration

Lisney MD Declan Flynn

between a company, a graduate and an academic institution as part of InterTradeIreland’s FUSION programme.

The Northern Ireland companies, which undertook FUSION projects to develop innovative, new products, were two of only five SMEs on the island to receive the accreditation at a prestigious event held in Carton House in Maynooth. The other companies acknowledged were Novegen Ltd, Dublin; Complete Laboratory Solutions, Galway; and Aspira Ltd from Cork.

Between them, the five FUSION Exemplar companies have reported sales of more than £1.5M and savings of over £65,000 during their FUSION projects, with projected sales of upwards of £5.75M and savings of £466,000, over the next three years.

InterTradeIreland’s technology transfer and innovation programme, FUSION, partners companies north and south with a third-level institution and provides them with the specialist

Retail Proves To Be The Real Winner Of 2016 Says Lisney Retail property saw another year of improvement in 2016 as prime vacancy in Belfast dropped to its lowest level in over a decade, with the city going from having one in five shops vacant in 2014 to one in 10 shops vacant last year.

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eading commercial property agent Lisney has insisted the “fundamentals of the local commercial property market remained strong across all sectors” and that the market is on a “solid footing” going forward, despite investment levels having dropped by almost 50% in 2016 - from 2015’s five-year high of £420m to £213m - amidst ongoing political uncertainty.

Launching its 2016 Northern Ireland Commercial Property Report - the most comprehensive

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expertise of a high calibre graduate, who works directly in the organisation, to deliver a new product or process improvement project. Through the programme, Tyrone Fabrications employed graduate, Dominic Mullins and Copper Industries employed graduate, Anthony O’Connor.

Both organisations benefitted from services and support from Dundalk Institute of Technology.

Speaking at the event, Margaret Hearty, director of programmes and services for InterTradeIreland, said: “These ambitious SMEs are a testament of what can be achieved through enterprise and innovation and North South collaboration. It is important that we recognise their success, which we hope, in turn, will encourage other SMEs to participate in the FUSION Programme, to improve their productivity, increase their revenue potential and to create real jobs for graduates. I am delighted to congratulate all of our Exemplars on their achievements and I wish them every success in the future.”

and long-established study of the commercial property market in Northern Ireland across the investment, retail, office and industrial sectors – Lisney revealed investment volumes of £40m for the final quarter of 2016.

While office take-up more than doubled and owner occupiers continued their dominance in the industrial sector, uncertainty throughout 2016 hampered the investment market in Q4, as in the previous quarter.

Key findings of the report included: • Investment volumes dipped almost 50% in 2016, from 2015’s fiveyear high of £420m to £213m • Office take-up more than doubled in 2016 to a five-year high of 535,000 sq ft, and rents rose by an unexpected 25% • The retail sector expanded at its fastest rate since 2002, with prime vacancy dropping to 10.5% in 2016 – the lowest level since Lisney started doing its Retail Vacancy Survey in 2011 • Prime Belfast city centre retail rents are now trending at £125 per sq ft (Zone A) • Industrial vacancy rates dropped by 25% in 2016 on the previous year, with an increase in take-up of 12.5% in the same period.

Eye on Telecommunications

Independent Telecoms Provider Onecom Enters Northern Ireland Market

Onecom is the new name in the fast moving world of business telecoms in Northern Ireland. Pictured in the heart of Belfast are Onecom’s local team (L-R) Stuart Lunn, Paul Lawther, Darren Brown and Mark Fraser.

The UK’s largest independent telecommunications provider, Onecom, has today entered the Northern Ireland market by opening a new regional office in Belfast.

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eadquartered near Fareham in Hampshire, Onecom operates from 12 regional offices throughout the UK and employs more than 400 staff.

The company is Vodafone UK’s largest enterprise partner, managing more than 325,000 mobile connections and delivering communication services including fixed line, mobile, broadband and cloud computing to some of the

UK’s most dynamic companies.

Onecom is making an investment of more than £5m in its Northern Ireland operation and expects to employ 30 people in Belfast within five years.

Based in Arthur Street in central Belfast, Onecom’s local team will be led by Paul Lawther, Head of Mobile Sales for NI, alongside business development managers Stuart Lunn, Mark Fraser and Darren Brown. All are enterprise communications specialists with extensive experience of the Northern Ireland market.

Onecom Sales Director Jason Waterworth said: “Onecom has achieved significant growth by investing in our people and processes, and by delivering great customer service. We

are committing to Belfast for the long term, with the aim of being the largest and fastest growing independent provider of communications in Northern Ireland.”

He added: “Northern Ireland is a market with a great history of entrepreneurs building high quality businesses, it continues to attract high levels of investment from international companies and it has an unrivalled talent pool, all of which makes it very attractive for Onecom’s future growth plans.”

Onecom aims to provide innovative solutions to businesses in Northern Ireland that offer them a simple way of bringing together mobile, fixed line, data and IT services as one

integrated, cost-effective “total communications” package, helping them to achieve greater productivity and efficiency and a better experience for their customers.

Paul Lawther, Head of Mobile Sales for NI, said: “Onecom offers resource and knowhow underpinned by a wealth of experience amassed over decades. No other independent enterprise telecoms provider can claim the same.

“Combining Onecom’s expertise with the local knowledge of our Belfast team, I believe we can bring real, tangible value and genuine innovation to businesses in Northern Ireland. Onecom really is the new name in business telecoms in Northern Ireland.”

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Eye on News

Stena Line Hits Half A Million Freight Units In Belfast F

Pictured celebrating the success are (left to right): Paul Grant, Stena Line’s Trade Director (Irish Sea North), Joe O’Neill, Commercial Director, Belfast Harbour and Anna Breen, Stena Line’s Freight Commercial Manager (Irish Sea North).

Leading ferry company Stena Line has posted a record year for freight traffic volumes on its Belfast Harbour routes in 2016.

Norbrook CEO Liam Nagle

or the first time in its history, Stena Line has carried over 500,000 freight units through Belfast Harbour.

Stena Line operates three freight services from Belfast Harbour which provide up to 14 daily crossing options between its Cairnryan, Liverpool (Birkenhead) and Heysham services.

Paul Grant, Stena Line’s Trade Director (Irish Sea North), commented: “Despite operating in a highly competitive market, 2016 was a record year for Stena Line’s Northern Ireland operations. To carry over 500,000 freight units is a fantastic achievement for the entire Stena Line team and one which also cements Belfast Harbour’s position as Northern Ireland’s leading freight hub. In 2016 we also had record car and passenger volumes with almost 1.5 million passengers travelling with Stena Line, which represents a growth of 7% on the previous year.

PROFITS UP AT NORBROOK Norbrook Holdings Ltd has announced its results for the year to July 2016 which show Revenue of £239m, up 11% year-on-year, and an increase of £14.5m to £38.5m in recurring Operating Profit.

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cross the business 2016 was a solid year. An extensive, multi-year capital investment programme began which will strengthen the company’s position in the global veterinary pharmaceutical market.

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“Stena Line has invested heavily in its Belfast Harbour hub. It’s reassuring to see that our vision and commitment to an expanding operation from Belfast Harbour has been rewarded. Economic uncertainty is a concern for 2017, however, at Stena Line we remain focussed on providing our customers with the most frequent and reliable services into and out of Northern Ireland. In the first quarter of 2017, we will be investing a further £7m locally with Harland & Wolff as we refit nine of our Irish Sea ship fleet,” said Paul.

Paul Grant concluded: “Whilst last year was a record year we cannot afford to be complacent, it’s vital that our investments in ships and ports is matched by infrastructure improvements to roads in Northern Ireland and Scotland particularly.

It’s also important that Belfast and Northern Ireland continues to invest in our growing tourism product.”

Liam Nagle, Chief Executive Officer said, “We have had another strong year, where we have seen increasing revenue in all regions. We have further strengthened our product offering in both the EU and North America with a number of new product launches, and we continue to work closely with our customers in each market to identify product opportunities.

We have embarked on a significant multiyear capital investment programme, which includes the upgrading and expansion of our manufacturing capability, new laboratory facilities, and the strengthening of our IT infrastructure. We are investing for the future and have developed a clear strategy for the business to take advantage of what continues to be a buoyant sector.”

Eye on Internet

When Did LinkedIn Become The Evil Love-Child Of Facebook And Tinder For Professionals?

By Gareth Dunlop, Fathom.

The very best digital products are brilliant at solving problems. Google helps me solve the problem of finding websites, images and locations. Amazon helps me solve the problem of buying products from enormous inventory, inexpensively, cheaply and confidently.

Hailo helps me order cabs. Facebook helps me stalk friends of friends. Twitter helps me keep up with online gossip. And so on.

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his focus on solving problems doesn’t occur by chance. Go behind the product development keyhole within these organisations and you can be sure you will find a team of researchers, analysts and designers, obsessing about how they can solve problems for users more quickly, more efficiently, more easily.

So when I reflect on my recent use of LinkedIn, it strikes me as a product which has lost focus on the problems it should be solving for me.

• Helping Fathom to hire excellent new recruits • Assisting me with networking which might help with pre-sales activity • Easily connecting me with people I’ve met at real-world events • Keeping me up to speed with what’s happening professionally in my network • Letting me know the latest blogs and status updates from colleagues It strikes me that these are exactly the types of problems the platform should be solving for me and yet when I use it, it never quite feels that way.

Consider the process of seeking to LinkIn with someone I have just met, either at a networking gig, or perhaps after a first meeting. If the conversation or meeting has gone well, I’ll always make a point of LinkingIn, whereupon I’m asked how I know this person. Colleague?

Classmate? We’ve done business together?

Friend? Other? I don’t know this person.

The sheer ludicrousness that anyone would claim to know a person because they don’t know that person assuredly deserves only ridicule, but what about the other options?

Surely none of them can be more likely than the single biggest driver of new contacts?

“I’ve recently met this person and we got on well” It must only require a modicum of investigation by the LinkedIn product team to recognise that this is a bigger driver of connections than some (or almost definitely all) of the others.

And this sad state of affairs assumes that I have been able to find the individual in the first place. Regularly, even if we have a range of connections in common, it is easier to find the person on LinkedIn via Google than it is via LinkedIn’s internal search.

Arguably LinkedIn reserves its greatest crimes against humanity for its Newsfeed algorithm and the content it prioritises. I am fortunate to be connected with some really smart people who I have met on my professional travels over nearly two decades. These people have ran businesses, succeeded, failed, innovated, pondered, taken risks, pioneered, had a go and generally have plenty of useful, interesting stuff to say on a range of topics which I am interested in. Many of the best thinkers blog regularly and post their musings into LinkedIn. Unfortunately I rarely see them unless I go looking for them as a result of a prompt.

Instead my Newsfeed is cluttered with detritus. Does any of the following sound familiar?

Young well-presented professional women with some almost definitely apocryphal story about getting hit on by someone on LinkedIn, replete with tens of thousands of shares and self-righteous comments.

Many of these are so see-through they have made their way on to Snopes.

Images of “follow your dream” motivational comments so twee and lacking in emotional intelligence or even understanding of how life works that I would be embarrassed if our

teenage daughter posted them on Facebook.

My own bête-noire, mawkish sentimental overly simplified “this time last year I gave up a six digit salary and everyone said I was mad and look at me now” posts. People are free to post what they want of course, but why does LinkedIn think I would be interested in that? If I’m looking for insecure bitterness, I’ll watch the Father Ted Priest of the Year acceptance speech on YouTube again.

And that’s not to mention bizarre mathematic tests, link-bait headlines and company press releases written in the third person.

Come on LinkedIn. You must surely be better than this? You have successfully joined up millions of clever people with great things to say. Please try harder to make connections easier. Please put more effort into promoting the very best content to the top of my Newsfeed.

And please, above all, focus once again on solving problems for your users.

Gareth Dunlop owns and runs Fathom, a user-experience consultancy which helps ambitious organisations get the most from their website and internet marketing by viewing the world from the perspective of their customers. Specialist areas include UX strategy, usability testing and customer journey planning, web accessibility and integrated online marketing. Clients include Three, Ordnance Survey Ireland, PSNI, Permanent TSB and Tesco Mobile.

Visit Fathom online at fathom.pro.

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Eye on Agri Food

DOHERTY’S IN DERRY – ‘DOING IT RIGHT’ Sam Butler talked to Brian McQuaid, sales manager of meat processor Doherty’s in Derry, about the growth of the business.

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recent substantial rebranding has enabled Doherty’s in Derry, among the best-known manufacturing businesses in the North West, to develop new leads in fast moving markets in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. The familyowned and managed business already has a significant market presence especially in the fastgrowing gluten-free products.

Brian McQuaid, outlining the thinking behind the rebranding, says: “The decision to refresh substantially our identity is a direct response to buyers telling us that they loved our products but not our branding and packaging. They urged a much more contemporary image.

“This brand revamp truly has been transformational and will really propel the company forward in 2017. It’s been well-received and brought many very favourable comments from customers. This is because it’s light years ahead of what we had before and has helped to focus our attention on the importance of brand identity in the dynamic markets in which we are operating especially in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. We’ve also had some successes in Spain and are keen to explore opportunities there and other parts of Europe for our gluten-free pork sausages. Our new identity, which we launched just before Christmas, will help us in developing sales in all markets.”

Doherty’s turned to designers Part Two in Belfast for help in refreshing the company’s identity and branding.

Part Two’s Ian Bennington continues: “Doherty’s has been producing great products

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Brian McQuaid, sales manager of Doherty’s meat processing in Derry

for six generations and has a strong reputation in the North West in particular for its premium quality meatballs.

“Our transformation for them is in how they present themselves and tell their story to existing and potential customers. This meant that our brand refresh had to appeal to the existing customers across the core range but also to add energy and impetus to new developments like the gluten-free products being bought by people on the UK mainland who are not familiar with the Doherty brand and heritage.

“We came up with the ‘Do it right with Doherty’s’ to emphasise this proposition and to boost sales.

The use of illustration on pack rather than the more common photography gives standout and personality to the brand and business. It also has great impact on vehicle livery. We art directed eye-catching photography for use on a website, social media, and exhibitions,” he adds.

Doherty’s has seen sales of its gluten-free pork sausages, in particular, grow 20 per cent per annum since launching in Asda’s Free-From section throughout the UK in September 2009.

Brian McQuaid continues: “Doherty’s has a heritage in quality meat processing stretching back over 150 years and six generations and is widely acknowledged throughout the North West to Donegal and Sligo as one of Ireland’s leading meat processors.

It remains true to this day to its heritage and strong family values.”

James Doherty opened his butcher’s shop in Derry in 1830.

The business was continued by his son and grandson and by 1945 comprised a small retail chain owned by Thomas J Doherty. It was in that year that the current chairman, James Doherty, joined his father in the business and began a process of expansion and development into processed beef and pork products.

Today, the company is managed

by James Doherty’s sons, Seamus and Ian. In 2010 the hand-over to a sixth generation began.

The gluten-free sausage was introduced by the company to meet a growing market demand especially from consumers with coeliac disease, a common bowel condition. The sausages are also sold in Tesco stores in Northern Ireland and in a range

of independents and butchery businesses throughout Ireland.

“The rise in sales is immensely encouraging and justifies our decision to invest in the development and marketing of the sausages. Gluten-free sausages are now among our most successful and fastest growing lines. We decided to develop the sausages in response to requests from customers with the condition.

“Around one in a hundred people throughout the UK and Ireland suffer from the condition and so there was clearly a gap in the market that we felt we could use our longstanding expertise in meat processing to fill.

“Our research found that it is a market that will continue to grow strongly in both long and short terms throughout the UK and Ireland.”

The progressive company, which now employs 45 people at its modern and HACCP approved processing plant, produces sausages, minced beef products, bacon, ham and black and white puddings. Ingredients are sourced from a network of local suppliers, ensuring complete traceability and provenance.

Eye on Agri Food

Willowbrook – Growing Through Bright Ideas Sam Butler talks to John McCann, managing director of Killinchy-based Willowbrook Foods about the achievements of the company’s Innovation Centre.

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he impressive achievements of Willowbrook Foods in Killinchy, Co Down are firmly rooted in smart ideas for customers here and especially outside Northern Ireland. The company, founded and headed

by John McCann, is based on the family-owned farm overlooking picturesque Strangford Lough.

Willowbrook Foods, a specialist in pre-packed vegetables and deli salads for both retail and foodservice, is the core business that also includes Willowbrook Fine Foods, a separate company producing convenience dishes for retail.

A dedicated Product Innovation Centre, established in 2012 in a significant investment in growth, is now at the heart of the group’s drive for new business. There are plans to expand its role and, in time, open up its expertise and knowledge to other companies here.

“We’ve had a number of approaches from local businesses about tapping into the services our innovation centre has developed over the past four years. These services have evolved as we’ve built lasting relationships with existing and potential customers in both retail and foodservice operators. We’ve now a wealth

of experience in helping them by coming up with smart food ideas and then producing solutions for them,” McCann, says.

Innovation, he stresses, is the core of Willowbrook’s business and the reason for its success. His achievements led to an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

“We are in a fast moving sector in which shoppers are always looking for something different that combines value for money with freshness, taste and provenance.

Major retailers now look to us to come up with solutions to their requirements. The same is true in foodservice. Leading caterers are working very closely with the new product development team in our Innovation Centre on original products that will help them to grow their business,” he continues.

Since opening in 1967, original products have been at the centre of developing new business at Wiilowbrook Foods. It monitors the markets in Britain and the Republic closely, a focus that enables it to respond quickly and flexibly to exceed the requirements of customers in these dynamic marketplaces.

A good example of this is the company’s recent success is signing significant business with Alpha Catering, an international specialist in in-flight meals.. Willowbrook’s innovation centre was challenged to come up with almost 70 original products to secure the business that will see its luxury deli salads on the menus of international airlines. Smart ideas created for the ‘pitch’ included Thai Quinoa Salad, Lemon Olive Pasta, Fruity Grain Salad, and Potato Liegeiose Salad.

As a result of the longstanding and continuing investment in the business, Willowbrook Foods

has emerged as among the most entrepreneurial in Northern Ireland’s £5 billion food industry.

The company has completed a 44,000sq ft factory, a substantial investment that followed the development of the dedicated innovation centre within the sprawling complex at Killinchy. The factory includes a modern cooking area for the production of its premium range of mash potato, deli salads and vegetables, along with other par cooked vegetable ranges.

The recent investments enable greater economies of scale that ensure price efficiencies, helping the firm retain business and reach out to new customers.

The already extensive portfolio includes prepared vegetables, deli salads, salad bags and bowls, steamed vegetables, stir fry, cooked noodles, farm grown beans, wet salads and products for use as ingredients particularly in restaurants and fast-food outlets.

Potatoes and vegetables, especially carrots, are sourced from its own farm and from other local suppliers.

A dedication to quality products, processes and procedures has enabled the company to achieve the coveted British Retail Consortium’s Global Food Standard annually over the past decade.

Over the past three years, Willowbrook Foods has represented Northern Ireland at the final of prestigious national Food Manufacturing Awards. In last year’s awards, Willowbrook was runner-up in the Fresh Produce Manufacturer category to IPL, a major business owned jointly by Wal-Mart and Asda.

Investment in a new factory more than doubles the company’s production capacity and enables it to build on the success it

John McCann, managing director of Willowbrook Foods in Killinchy

“ We are in a fast moving sector in which shoppers are always looking for something different that combines value for money with freshness, taste and provenance.

Major retailers now look to us to come up with solutions to their requirements.” has already achieved in selling 85 percent of its products outside Northern Ireland.

“The innovation centre and the new factory together enable us to respond quickly and flexibly to market opportunities for new products,” Mr McCann says.

Willowbrook Foods currently employs around 250 people at the Killinchy plant.

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Eye on Moving On Almac Group has announced the appointment of 1 Professor Tom Moody to the position of VP Technology Development and Commercialisation within Almac Sciences. Tom joined Almac in October 2001, moved into management in 2008 and has held the position of Senior Manager for the last 4 years operating in his role as Head of Biocatalysis and Isotope Chemistry.

1 Professor Tom Moody

2 Andrew Richards

3 Gerard McCann

2 Moy Park has appointed Andrew Richards to the post of Commercial Director UK & Ireland and as a member of its executive leadership team. With an extensive commercial track record, Andrew has worked with many of Europe’s market and category leading FMCG companies across confectionery (Cadbury/ Kraft), savoury snacks (PepsiCo UK), soft drinks (Britvic PLC) and latterly coffee (UCC).

3 Gerard McCann has joined P2V Systems as Sales & Business Development Manager. For the past ten years Gerard worked for HMC Global Ltd, a B2B Sales consultancy headquartered in Belfast and has also worked in various sales roles from support to account management, team management and Sales Director.

4 Gary Davidson

5 Robert Barkley

6 Michael Halfpenny

4 Gary Davidson has been appointed Business Development Manager with R&D tax specialists Amplifi Solutions. He will be responsible for driving new business opportunities and day-to-day management of current client portfolio. Gary holds a BA in Business Management from Liverpool John Moores University and an MSc in Business Development & Innovation from Ulster University.

Rainbow Communications has made three 5 senior appointments. Robert Barkley becomes Business Development Manager for System. He has significant experience in both the insurance and communications 6 sectors. Michael Halfpenny takes on the same role. His background is in retail and in business telecoms and connectivity solutions.

7 Meanwhile, Donna Rudd is appointed as Account Manager. She has experience in the financial service and drinks industries.

8

9

7 Donna Rudd

8 Tori Wylde

9 Justin Hillen 10

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Prestige Insurance Holdings Ltd has made senior appointments at Board level within several of its subsidiary companies. Tori Wylde, who currently heads up the Group Audit function has been appointed as Audit/Compliance Director to Prestige Underwriting Services. Justin Hillen, who currently leads the Compliance function within Abbey Insurance Brokers, has been appointed as Compliance Director to Abbey Insurance Brokers. Alan McConnell has been appointed Business Intelligence Director at the Prestige Management Services division. Finally, Lee Stuart has been appointed Managing Director of Cover.Net. Previously, Lee was Director to Cover.Net.

12 Sarah Weir has been appointed Events Manager at Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry. With over 12 years’ experience in event management and public relations, Sarah has organised some of Northern Ireland’s most prominent and prestigious events.

10 Alan McConnell

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11 Lee Stuart

12 Sarah Weir

Eye on Moving xxx On 13 Also at the NI Chamber, Gabi Burnside has been promoted to Business Services Manager. Gabi first joined NI Chamber in May 2015 as Programmes and Events Assistant and has since received a promotion to Business Services Manager.

14 Simon Cunningham has been appointed Client Executive at Lighthouse Communications.

With over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, Simon was most recently business correspondent at the Irish News.

13 Gabi Burnside

16 Paul Longstaff

14 Simon Cunningham

17 Ian Bowers

15 Mark Graham

18 Andy Ruding

15 Mark Graham has been appointed as chief executive of Co-Ownership Housing Northern Ireland. Mark has a background in the housing sector having held a senior position within the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and leading major change in areas including ICT-enabled transformation and a large-scale organisation redesign.

Moy Park has announced three senior 16 appointments. Paul Longstaff becomes Planning and Logistics Director. Previously Head of Supply Chain Optimisation, Paul has held positions at Microsoft, Mars, 17 Premier Foods and Heinz. Ian Bowers is appointed Director of Procurement Prior to joining Moy Park in 2013, Ian was Vice President for Strategic and Central Procurement for BT Plc and also held the position of Procurement Director for Kraft Foods UK and 18 Ireland. And Andy Ruding moves from Head of Planning to become Head of Customer Service. In this new role, Andy will lead a focused customer-facing team providing bestin-class customer engagement and developing joint strategic supply chain initiatives.

19 Graham Fergus has been promoted to Facilities Manager by Wilsons Auctions.

Following the acquisition of new branches across the UK, Graham has been tasked to make sure the workplace meets the needs of all employees and customers by managing all of the required core services and processes.

20 In the Marketing team, Katherine Dawson has been appointed Marketing Executive to offer her expertise in the promotion of all activity across the Telford, Queensferry, Dalry and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne branches.

21 Meanwhile, David Rowlands becomes 22 Stock Controller while Sacha Boyd is appointed as an Auction Support.

19 Graham Fergus

20 Katherine Dawson

22 Sacha Boyd

23 Judith Allen

21 David Rowlands

23 Law firm TLT has appointed Judith Allen as a real estate partner. She will be working from the firm’s Belfast office. Judith joins from A&L Goodbody. She has extensive experience in all areas of Northern Irish property law having advised a broad range of both public and private sector clients for over 13 years.

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dfcbelfast.co.uk Motoring with Derek Black dbmotoring@btinternet.com

KIA AIMS HIGH WITH STYLISH NEW OPTIMA SPORTS WAGON What’s this - an ‘executive’ car from Kia? Optimistic perhaps, but they are aiming to chip into the sector dominated by the Avants and Tourings with the aptly named Optima SW. (Buyers of this class of car usually opt for the estate rather than the saloon.)

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his is a good looker, spacious and well finished outside and in. Comfy seats, simple and easy to use controls and a big 8-inch screen make this a relaxed car to drive. The boot deserves to be called generous and has handy dividers, fold down the rear seats and you have a serious load area to use.

Performance from the 1.7 turbo diesel engine, is useful with 0-62mph in just under 10 seconds.

My test car ran to a 7-speed,

twin clutch gearbox with paddles on the steering wheel - really!

This is a tolerable car to drive at everyday speeds but it is not going to excite the adrenaline much.

Faint praise for the ride too, there is a bit of bounce and roll when you try to press on. Like many cars these day, the engine is quiet but you do notice the wind and tyre noise.

There is a lot more going for the Optima SW as a business workhorse.

The 140PS diesel engines returns

64mph on the set figures - unlikely to be reached day to day - but emissions of 113g/km put it in a lowish band for company car tax purposes. A plug-in hybrid version is on the slips for next year.

The car I drove was a grade 3 and had 18-inch wheels, Harmon Kardon sound, that big screen, electric seats and privacy glass. Personally I

could do without those big wheels, they may look good but react more to the state of the road surface.

The cheapest Optima SW is listed at £22,295 which makes it a lot of car for the money. Get a couple of grand discount and you have a grand estate for the price of a family hatch.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that 7-year or 100,000 mile warranty.

it is available with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol or diesel engines - of the famous boxer type that have a lower centre of gravity and add to the balanced feel of the car. The diesel, with its extra torque is the more rewarding to drive in more ways than one.

Firstly its strong torque is well suited to off-roading and secondly, it returns 49mpg combined, which is not bad for a fairly big SUV with

four-wheel drive. Emissions are on the high side however, with 148g/ km emissions putting it into the 29% company car tax bracket.

So there is a price for all that capability. Still, if your work requires travel in all weathers and regular cross country treks, then the Forester may be worth considering as a long term purchase. Prices for the diesels start from £23,850.

RUGGED FORESTER SHOWS ITS STRENGTHS IN THE MUD If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, then Subaru must be gratified with the large number of SUVs and crossovers on the market these days. The Forester was one of the first in this now so popular bracket

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nlike most of the newbie contenders which use frontwheel drive, the Forester has always been a serious all-wheel drive machine. I was reminded of this at a recent off-road event when I drove the Forester and the smaller XV through deeply rutted fields, in and out of muddy hollows and across river beds without a falter.

Driving in such conditions is a lot

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easier than it used to be thanks to the latest technology which allows you to drive down the steep and slippy slopes without fear of locking up and losing control. All you need to do is keep your speed down and let the car do the thinking. A little touch of accelerator gets you up the most daunting of inclines.

The Forester may look a bit dated, but it feels very capable and durable. Now

Supplying cars and vans to the business community

call us on 02890 734222

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Eye on Motoring

Thinking of Changing Your Car in 2017? How The New Vehicle Excise Duty Will Affect You We’re now well into 2017, which means the new rules for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) or Road Tax will come into effect very shortly.

This will involve big changes to the current system, including a switch up to new Road Tax bands which will affect anyone whose new car is not registered by April 1st.

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urrently tax is determined solely by CO2 emissions, with the value of the car not taken into account. However this will all change come April 1st with the list price of the car now an important factor.

So the question on the minds for many of those considering a new car is this, is it better to

wait until April 1st or is it more cost - effective to change before the new regulations come into play? The answer to this

VED BANDS AND RATES FOR CARS REGISTERED ON OR AFTER 1ST APRIL 2017 CO2 Emissions (g/km)

First Year Rate

0

Standard Rate*

£0 £0

1–50

£10 £140

57–75

£25 £140

76-90

£100 £140

91-100

£120 £140

101-110

£140 £140

111-130

£160 £140

131-150

£200 £140

151-170

£500 £140

171-190

£800 £140

191-225

£1200 £140

226-255

£1700 £140

Over 255

£2000

£140

*Cars with a list price of over £40,000 will attract a 310 per year surcharge on top of the standard rate for the first 5 years.

depends entirely on the vehicle you plan to buy, but also the CO2 level and the list price.

The amount of VED you pay will still be based partly on your cars CO2 emissions. However, while the government has been promoting the use of hybrid cars by making many of them free from tax, the benefit of actually choosing one will be greatly reduced after 1st April.

Although they are a great option for a greener environment, will this be enough to entice individuals into purchasing one?

Similar to the current regulations, new cars will be divided into 13 different CO2 brackets to determine how much you will pay in the first year of ownership, but only zero emission vehicles will qualify and therefore be tax free.

From the second year onwards, zero emission vehicles costing

Call us today for more information on our car and van offers on 028 9073 4222 or email sales@dfcbelfast.co.uk 96

less than £40,000 remain tax free; petrol, diesel and hybrid cars that cost less than £40,000 are charged at a flat rate of £140 a year and cars that cost over £40,000 a year attract an additional premium fee of £310 for years 2 – 5 of ownership, regardless of their emissions.

So what does all this mean for those considering a new car this year? As with most things it all depends on your personal circumstances and what car you have your eye on. In some cases it may be good idea, other car choices may warrant waiting until after April 1st.

If you would like speak to us further please call us on 028 9073 4222 or email sales@dfcbelfast.co.uk.

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Eye on Motoring

Motoring with Derek Black dbmotoring@btinternet.com

IS THIS THE BEST CAR YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF? Now here is a man who likes a business challenge.

He is Stephen Stewart, MD of Mervyn Stewarts, better known for their Skoda franchise, who has just launched the Infiniti premium car range in Northern Ireland. I caught up with him and some cars new to me at the Galgorm Manor recently.

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umble beginnings are appropriate for a marque with almost zero visibility in the local market - until now.

The former MINI showroom on Boucher Crescent in Belfast, will be the temporary home for the new arrivals. After a morning driving several Infiniti models I must say I was impressed with the quality and finish.

The larger Q50 saloon and the just launched Q60 coupe are pleasing driving cars. The 2.0-

litre turbo petrol versions are crisp and handle sharply whilst the 3.0 six-cylinder is seriously refined and fast, with all-wheel drive to give maximum road grip.

Admirable cars but not exactly on message in this green age.

But the compact Q30 hatchback, built at the Nissan plant in Sunderland, is much more relevant here. It owes a lot to an alliance between Nissan-Renault and the Daimler company. That means it shares quite a lot of parts with

the current Mercedes A-class.

There is a crisp Mercedes 1.6 turbo petrol engine or a 1.5 turbo diesel, well proven from the Renault camp. The diesel will get the business vote with a claimed 68mpg combined and emissions of 108g/km putting it in the lowish 21% company car tax bracket.

Styling alone gives the Infiniti a certain appeal as an alternative premium hatchback and the mechanical pedigree is sound.

Prices start from £24K for the

petrol Q30 and just over £25K for the turbo diesel. Appropriately enough, the starter trim is called Business Executive.

Infiniti is also targeting the popular compact SUV with a higher riding version called the QX30 with all wheel drive and a 2.2-litre turbo diesel priced from just over £29K. They are undoubtedly sound machines but can they achieve the presence of Audi, BMW or Mercedes? Time will tell.

HANDSOME MAZDA6 HAS A UNIQUE FORMULA FOR ECONOMY It has been a couple of years since I drove a Mazda6, so it was a bit like meeting an old friend again to find they hadn’t changed.

The roomy Mazda felt as lithe as ever and remains an under-rated contender in the middleweight league.

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good looker with curvy lines and much of the latest technology this car has been honed to extract the maximum economy without taking to the fashionable hybrid and electric car routes. Their SkyActive package involves many measures from lighter, stronger steel to a braking system that recoups energy that would

otherwise be wasted. So you get a conventional engine that is a lot more efficient than most.

The 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine sounds a bit on the large size but it is competitive with many smaller capacity turbo diesels. It comes with an output of either 150 or 175PS. The 150 is the business choice as it returns 68mpg combined, emits 107g/

km and falls into the modest 21% company car tax bracket.

There is a quicker 175PS version that can sprint to 62mph in 7.9 seconds. It is a sportier drive but emissions of 119g/ km put it into the 23% car tax bracket - press on drivers might think it worth the extra.

Both come with a slick six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed auto with paddle change options.

The 6 really shines on the road where it is taut and biddable.

This long legged car just soaks up the miles and does not

stress the driver. There are no irritations that would get on your nerves on a long run.

Inside, the dash has a quality feel with a 7-inch screen, controller knob and even a headup display on some models.

You get a DAB radio and a push-button parking brake. Also available are adaptive headlamps, lane assist, driver attention alert and blind spot warning.

The 2.2 diesel is list priced from £22,295 as a saloon and £23,195 as a handsome estate.

Well built, well equipped and very drivable - what’s not to like?

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Eye on Motoring

dfcbelfast.co.uk Motoring with Derek Black dbmotoring@btinternet.com

COMPACT VOLVO TICKS THE BOXES AS A FLEET CAR Test cars are usually the top of the range models so it was refreshing to try a more modest Momentum version of the Volvo V40. This one sits just on the second rung of the price ladder, though it did have a few extras added including sat nav.

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t makes a sound candidate as a company car that is a cut above the average for a five-door hatchback. As a Volvo it has the family face, a bespoke interior and plenty of safety features. Ride is on the firm side but comfort levels are above average in this class.

This is a tidy car on the bends with predictable handling. Engine noise is below average for a diesel except when pressed hard which its nature does not encourage. There is a good quality feel to the controls and the ‘floating’ Volvo fascia adds a touch of class.

The V40 must have the best safety pedigree in its class. There are the expected airbags and electronic aids, plus a system that applies the brakes if you get too close to the vehicle in front.

The business end centres around the frugal D2 turbo diesel which offers a useful if not sporting 120bhp. This manages the dash to 62mph in an everyday 10.5 seconds. Not the strongest performer in the line-up but the one that brings the best rewards at the pumps.

A stunning 84mpg combined is claimed but would be difficult to emulate in real world driving. Still there is no denying the very low emissions figure of 89g/km. This means a company car tax rating of just 18% which is hard to beat in a non hybrid car.

This adds up to a fairly convincing case for the firm’s accountant. The V40 D2 Momentum is listed from £22,155 with the Sat Nav Plus version that I drove listed from around £23K.

NEW MOKKA X

TECHNOLOGY WHERE IT COUNTS

P11D FROM £17,400 | UP TO 72.4MPG | CO 2 FROM 103G/KM

Vauxhall OnStar* with Vehicle Diagnostics and 4G Wi-Fi**.

7-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™.

The New Mokka X. Go drive it.

SEARCH NEW MOKKA X FLEET

Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive. New Mokka X range fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km): Urban: 32.8 (8.6)-64.2 (4.4), Extra-urban: 49.6 (5.7)-78.5 (3.6), Combined: 42.2 (6.7)-72.4 (3.9).

CO2 emissions: 155-103g/km.

Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. 2016-17 tax year. General Motors UK Limited, trading as Vauxhall Motors, does not offer tax advice and recommends that all Company Car Drivers consult their own accountant with regards to their particular tax position. New Mokka X Design Nav (non-ecoFLEX) model illustrated features Amber Orange two-coat metallic paint (£555) and premium LED Adaptive Forward Lighting (£1160), optional at extra cost. * = Includes 12 months of OnStar services from date of first registration and a 3 month/3 GB Wi-Fi free trial period (whichever comes first) effective from the date the customer accepts the nominated network operator Wi-Fi T’s&C’s. Destination download feature only operates on models fitted with Navi 900 IntelliLink satellite navigation system. The OnStar Services require activation and are subject to mobile network coverage and availability. ** = Wi-Fi Hotspot service requires account with nominated network operator. 4G is subject to mobile network coverage and availability. Charges apply after the free trial period. The OnStar subscription packages could be different from the services included in the free trial package. Check www.vauxhall.co.uk/onstar for terms and conditions, details of availability, coverage and charges. Apple CarPlay and Apple are trademarks of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. All figures quoted correct at time of going to press (December 2016).